Sport in Colonial America

Chapter 11

Mechikoff & Estes, A History and Philosophy of Sport and Physical Education, Fourth Edition © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

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

New England Puritans and Sport: 17th Century Generally cold toward playful activities All human beings were born “flawed” in the

eyes of GodGoal was to restrain the “evil” impulses of

sinnersPlay was considered “evil”“idle hands are the devils workshop”

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

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

Sabbath and Sport

Maintain the SabbathExamples of people (John Baker) whipped for

huntingHunting not bad, but failed to keep SabbathSabbath laws (“blue laws”) in effect into the

20th century

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

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

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

Sport in the South

Growth of sports in the south No Puritans settled hereCatholicism was dominant religionSouthern gentlemen extremely competitive

Rugged individualism and competitiveness manifest in wagering on horses

Founding Fathers enjoyed horse racing

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

Sport in the South

Social class often dictated appropriate sporting behavior

Upper class: requisite social and athletic skillsRiding, dancing, fencing, and conversation

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

Sport in South: Boxing

Many boxers were slaves, providing entertainment and betting opportunities for whites

First well-known American pugilist: Tom Molineaux, who won his freedom from slavery

Traveled to England to fight British champion Tom Cribb in 1810—a rainy day match After 29th round, Molineaux was winning Partisan British fans stopped the fight briefly Molineaux caught a chill and was beaten in 40th round

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