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PEd 93 -- Chapter 10 -- Sport in the American Colonial Period

Chapter 10: Sport in the American Colonial Period

Colonialism and Imperialism

  • Definition of Imperialism: An expansionary domination through military conquest that involves having a physical empire. (Besnier, 2018, p39)

  • Territorial Claims: Jurisdiction over a territory involves exploiting its people and resources, often justified by the belief in the superiority of the colonizers (Besnier, 2018, p39).

Colonialism and Culture

  • Power and Culture: Colonialism was built on power dynamics, but it significantly involved cultural transformations. (Dirks, 1992, p6)

  • Cultural Change: Traditional cultural forms in societies were altered through colonial conquests and rule, leading to state-regulated cultures. (Dirks, 1992, p6)

  • Mutual Influence: A reciprocal relationship existed between colonizers and the colonized, complicating narratives of causality in history. (Dirks, 1992, p6)

  • Resistance and Culture: Culture served as a foundation for resistance against colonial rule. (Dirks, 1992, p6)

Sport and Colonialism

  • Formal Sports Systems: Formal sporting systems emerged as structures for spreading influence, often seen as proof of racial superiority. (Besnier, 2018, p45)

  • Codification of Sports: Rules of sports were used to further imperialistic goals, serving God, country, and empire. (Besnier, 2018, p45)

  • Ideological Forces: Christianity influenced the development of sports emphasizing masculinity, racial purity, and the notion of the 'white man’s burden'. (Besnier, 2018, p45)

  • Assimilation through Sports: Sport was utilized as a means to dominate and assimilate native populations into colonial cultures. With the decline of empires, sport adapted to serve anti-imperialist resistance and nation-building. (Besnier, 2018, p45)

Influences on American Sport

Christopher Columbus

  • Discovery of America: Columbus sailed in 1492 aiming for India but stumbled upon America instead. (Swanson, 1995, p19)

  • Colonial Perspective: Europeans viewed North America as empty and its native inhabitants as uncivilized, disregarding the contradiction of it being both empty and inhabited. (Swanson, 1995, p19)

  • Religious Motivation: The first 200 years of colonization were influenced heavily by religious motivations, chiefly due to persecution experienced in the old world. (Swanson, 1995, p19)

Native Americans

  • League of Five Nations: Comprised of key tribes including the Iroquois and Algonquian, it controlled much of the Northeast. (Swanson, 1995, p19)

  • Societal Structure: Tribes were designated territories with distinct roles: men hunted and engaged in warfare, women farmed and managed households. (Swanson, 1995, p19)

  • Cultural Beliefs: Natives believed in a great spirit and ascribed supernatural powers to nature, reflected in their rituals. (Swanson, 1995, p19)

  • Misconceptions: Despite their rich culture and governance, native practices were deemed primitive by European standards, leading to misconceptions. (Swanson, 1995, p19)

Early American Sports

Lacrosse

  • Introduction of Lacrosse: Observed by a French missionary; called baggataway by Native Americans. (Swanson, 1995, p19)

  • Rules Variation: Rules were not standardized but varied between tribes, influenced by customs, occasion, and environment. (Swanson, 1995, p19)

  • Game Dynamics: Played on fields as large as distances between two villages, and involved poles and a ball constructed of skin, hair, and wood. (Swanson, 1995, p19)

  • Religious Significance: Baggataway had religious implications, played during specific seasons for divine favor, and communal purposes. (Swanson, 1995, p19)

Mesoamerican Games

  • Rubber Ball Game: Played in a court resembling an 'I'; aim was to knock a ball through stone hoops located at the ends of the court. (Swanson, 1995, p19)

  • Ritual Significance: Courts were typically adjacent to temples, highlighting the spiritual context of these games. (Swanson, 1995, p19)

Sports of European Settlers

Nobility Sports

  • Responsibilities of Nobility: Engaged in activities like hunting and tournaments, which served to develop chivalry and military skills. (Swanson, 1995, p28)

  • Hunting and Hawking: Popular among the aristocracy, emphasizing expensive hobbies and the social status of participants. (Swanson, 1995, p28)

  • Court Tennis and Cricket: Games evolved with societal structures; nobles relished in games that showcased status and skill. (Swanson, 1995, p28)

Sports of the Common People

  • Daily Life Constraints: Common people had limited time for recreation due to long working hours, yet still partook in public contests and fairs during holidays. (Swanson, 1995, p28)

  • Ball Games Legacy: Laid foundations for modern sports including baseball, football, and golf, illustrating that sport was not solely for the rich. (Swanson, 1995, p28)

Influence of the Church on Sport

  • Legislation on Sports: The Church influenced sports through laws, promoting order and condemning rowdy behavior. (Swanson, 1995, p28)

  • Religious and Social Constraints: Idleness viewed negatively; church leaders reinforced attitudes against sport, especially as Puritanical beliefs gained traction. (Swanson, 1995, p28)

  • Variability of Attitudes: Changing views led to a gradual acceptance of recreational activities, especially in the context of changing societal norms. (Swanson, 1995, p28)

Patterns of Sport in Early America

  • Regional Differences: Variance in sport acceptance was linked to religious views, climate, and work patterns, with New England's Puritanism often opposing recreational activities. (Wiggins, 2010, p5)

  • Southern Acceptance: In contrast, southern colonies embraced sport and recreation more openly, linked to their cultural and climatic context. (Wiggins, 2010, p5)

Sport in New England

  • Puritan Influence: Strongly discouraged playful activities; valued work ethic over recreational pastimes. (Mechikoff, 2013, p197)

  • Military Sports: Only sports viewed as beneficial for survival, like running and wrestling, were accepted; otherwise, sport was deemed a waste. (Mechikoff, 2013, p197)

Amusements in New England

  • Taverns as Social Hubs: Initially, held restrictive views on amusements, but over time began accepting contests for entertainment, providing a space for social interaction. (Mechikoff, 2013, p201)

Sport in the Mid-Atlantic Region

  • Quaker and Dutch Influence: The Quakers and Dutch Calvinists held differing views from Puritans, resulting in a more accepting culture towards playful activities. (Mechikoff, 2013, p201)

  • Benjamin Franklin's Initiatives: Advocated for sports and education, establishing the first academy for physical education. (Mechikoff, 2013, p201)

Sports in the South

  • Favorable Conditions: The southern climate and cultural outlook fostered a rich sporting life, with activities often reflecting the gentry's competitive spirit. (Mechikoff, 2013, p202)

References

  • Besnier, N., Brownell, S., & Carter, T. F. (2018). The anthropology of sport: bodies, borders, biopolitics. University of California Press.

  • Dirks, N. B. (1992). Colonialism and culture. University of Michigan Press.

  • Mechikoff, R. A. (2013). A history and philosophy of sport and physical education: from ancient civilizations to the modern world. (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

  • Swanson, R. A., & Spears, B. M. (1995). History of sport and physical education in the United States. (4th ed.). Brown & Benchmark Publishers, Inc.

  • Wiggins, D. K. (2010). Sport in America: from colonial leisure to celebrity figures and globalization. (2nd ed.). Human Kinetics Books.