1. 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.

2. Sport in the Colonial Period
Chapter 9

3. 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

4. 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”

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. Card games were a popular Colonial pastime
Cards
Image source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C.
Card games were a popular Colonial pastime
(18th century hand-engraved cards)

11. 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

12. Growth of sports in the south
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

13. First horse races were a quarter mile long
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

15. 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

16. 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.

17. History of Black Boxers in U.S
Due Sept. 17:
A one page typed -report
on the history of black
boxers in this country.

18. 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

19. 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

20. La Crosse game, played by Native Americans and Whites (lithograph)
Image source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C.

21. 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.

22. 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 ___________________