Freak shows(1840-1940)

What were they?

Freak shows were when disabled individuals or people with differences in their body(ex: limb differences, dwarfism, Down syndrome) were put on display and forced to do shows against their will. It was a circus but with people instead of animals. People from all over during this time would pay money to see people with “oddities”. These people would be called “Circus freaks” in these freak shows. Freak shows were also referred to as “Geek shows”. Disabled individuals in these shows would travel nationwide to perform for Americans all over.