Final answer:
The Great Exhibition of 1851 reflected Victorian-era values of progress, industrialization, imperialism, and the beginning of modern consumerism, demonstrating Britain's industrial leadership and cultural legacy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Great Exhibition of 1851 in London, England, was a hallmark of Victorian-era thinking. Notably, it displayed advances in technology and the vast array of goods from Britain's empire, underscoring the period's thrust towards industrialization and imperialism. The exhibition was a demonstration of Britain's industrial leadership and its imperial reach, showcasing not only manufactured goods but also exotic displays from the colonies.
This event illustrated the Victorian values of progress, global dominance, and the pursuit of a cultural and scientific legacy. The exhibition hall, known as the Crystal Palace, became a symbol of the era, representing the might of the British Empire and its role in the industrialized world. Furthermore, the displays of goods and societal oddities from across the Empire encapsulated a time when European powers, particularly Britain, felt compelled to exhibit their 'superiority' over other cultures and civilizations.
The Great Exhibition also revealed the beginnings of modern consumerism and the creation of a 'mass society' due to the industrial revolution. It represented the Victorian belief in economic growth, scientific progress, and racial superiority as triumphs of European civilization. Such exhibitions played a part in shaping the European narrative that they were destined to subjugate and civilize the rest of the world—a concept deeply rooted in the societal norms of the time.