"NEW ENGLAND IN SOUTH AFRICAN CLOTHES" - CAPE COLONY AND NATAL AT COLONIAL AND INDIAN EXHIBITION IN LONDON IN 1886
The relevance of the research is determined by demand for the study of the international exhibitions' historical experience. Such practice began to take shape in the second half of the XIX century and was supposed to promote intercultural relations and business. The participation of the British South African colonies (Cape colony and Natal) in the 1886 Colonial and Indian Exhibition in London are considered. The Exhibition became an event of epochal importance and the instrument of imperial consolidation. It is noted that the expositions presented the latest industrial and agricultural advances and the unique culture of the imperial peoples. Analysis of the catalogues, guidebooks and press articles allowed to add new information to the characteristic of the metropolis relationship with African colonies, socio-economic features of the territories and their importance for the Empire. It is shown that the visitors, including the royal family, have seen the impressive result of the British settler's activity: the economic backwardness of the region accumulated during the Dutch domination was overcome; the British “civilizing mission” towards the African peoples was successful. The analysis leads to the conclusion that Cape and Natal expositions had the desired effect. They proofed that “systematic colonization” - the resettlement colonies, embodying the ideals and values of the metropolis - is possible even in the most politically, economically and climatically complicated region.