Section III

The Historical and Philosophical Development of Sport and Physical Education in America

Mechikoff, R.A., A History and Philosophy of Sport and Physical Education, Sixth Edition © 2014, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

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Sport in the Colonial PeriodChapter 9

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Colonial America: Attitudes• Attitudes toward sport representative of settlers European

background

• New England: Puritan– Against play generally

• Mid-Atlantic (New York): Dutch, Quaker– Moderate play acceptable

• South: Catholic, Baptist, and Methodist– Most friendly toward play

• Attitudes were strongly influenced by religion

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New England Puritans and Sport: 17th Century• Generally cold toward playful activities

• All human beings were born “flawed” in the eyes of God– Goal was to restrain the “evil” impulses of

sinners– Play was considered “evil”– “idle hands are the devils workshop”

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Puritans and Sport• The good religious life determined how one

should behave– Government was formed to insure religious

behavior

– Control of emotions and behaviors was critical

– Much debate over what was proper behavior

• Protestant work ethic– Hard work: a sign that one was destined for

heaven

– To be seen playing was a sign of moral depravity

– Overcoming desire to play was a sign of morality

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Puritans and Sport • Ban on play was recognized to be impossible– Differed from European Puritans

• What play is acceptable?– Play that helped maintain civic

order– Moderate recreation keeps one

refreshed– Abstention from recreation

created disorder in life

• Fishing, hunting, and walking acceptable– Improved health, renewed spirit

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Sabbath and Sport• Maintain the Sabbath

– Examples of people (John Baker) whipped for hunting

– Hunting not bad, but failed to keep Sabbath

– Sabbath laws (“blue laws”) in effect into the 20th century

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Amusements in New England

• Taverns: American version of English pubs, German beer halls, and European inns – Frontier taverns provided amusements, lodging

• Darts and cards were popular games• Marksmanship, boxing, cockfighting, and

horseracing were popular• Social amusements became more

acceptable as Puritan influence eroded

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Sport and Founding Fathers • Fathers generally approved of

sport and physical activity– Benjamin Franklin and

others were enthusiastic supporters of horse racing

– Franklin (1749) also opened education academies

• sport and physical activity was part of curriculum

• physical activity within a healthful setting ensured a proper educational environment

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Card games were a popular Colonial pastime(18th century hand-engraved cards)

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Sport in the Mid-Atlantic• Quakers of Pennsylvania and Dutch

Calvinists in New York:– More friendly toward playful activities – Horse racing popular from the beginning

• Improvement of the breed by importing • Gamble on outcome

– Bowling, golf, early croquet, tennis, cricket, shooting matches, sleigh rides

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Sport in the South

• Growth of sports in the south – No Puritans settled here– Catholicism was dominant

religion– Southern gentlemen

extremely competitive• Rugged individualism

and competitiveness manifest in wagering on horses

• Founding Fathers enjoyed horse racing

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Horse Racing

• First horse races were a quarter mile long– Led to Virginia quarter horse

• Race tracks in Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina

• Wagering often heavy, women placed bets

• Big races followed by social festivities

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Sport in the South

• Social class often dictated appropriate sporting behavior

• Upper class: requisite social and athletic skills– Riding, dancing, fencing, and conversation

• Slaves participated as jockeys and boxers• Some slaves gained freedom by fighting

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The History of Black Jockeys Assignment

• Due Sept. 17th:• A one page typed

report of the history of the black jockey.

• Include the names of jockeys that became known for their skills.

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History of Black Boxers in U.S

• Due Sept. 17:

• A one page typed -report

• on the history of black• boxers in this country.

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Sport in South: Boxing• Many boxers were slaves, provided

entertainment & betting for whites• Tom Molineaux: First well-known American

pugilist– won his freedom from slavery

• Traveled to England to fight British champion Tom Cribb in 1810– Molineaux was winning after 29th round – Partisan British fans stopped the fight briefly– Molineaux caught a chill, beaten in 40th round

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Other Influences on Colonial Sport• Native Americans originated the game

of Lacrosse in the Northeast – Expert riders: horseracing and tribal

dances

• Had many forms of ball games that non-Indians learned and participated in throughout the country

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Alternative Class Assignment Review

• Students:

• Due on Sept. 17th are:

• 1. One page typed paper on the history of African-American and Boxing

• 2. One page typed paper on the history of Black Jockeys in America.

• 3. Complete the quiz at the end of ppt.

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• QUESTIONS:• 1. Describe the attitudes toward play for

• A. Puritans_______________________________________________

• B. Dutch and Quaker_______________________________________

• C. Catholic, Baptist, and Methodist ___________________________

• 2. Finish the Puritans saying “Idle hands___________.

• 3. What type of play were acceptable to the Puritans?________________

• 4. Benjamin Franklin supported what event?_________________

• 5. Slaves competed as:

• A.________________ B. ___________________

• 6. Who was Tom Molineax? What made him unique?_________________

• ___________________________________________________________

• 7. Native Americans are credited with developing ___________________