Emergence Of Sport Flashcards
(53 cards)
What is meant by ‘pre-industrial Britain’ in the context of sport?
The period before the Industrial Revolution (before 1750), characterized by rural living, low literacy, and strict class divisions. Sport and pastimes during this time reflected these social conditions.
Define popular recreation
Sport and pastimes typical of pre-industrial Britain, often simple, violent, local, and based on customs or traditions.
What does ‘social class’ mean in relation to sport in pre-industrial Britain?
A division of society based on social and economic status, typically the upper class (landowners) and lower class (peasants or working poor), which greatly affected access to and type of sport.
How did social class influence the types of sports played in pre-industrial Britain?
Upper class participated in exclusive, sophisticated sports like real tennis and fox hunting, while lower class engaged in violent, simple, community-based games like mob football.
Why were many lower-class sports localised in pre-industrial Britain?
Poor transport and communication meant sports developed within isolated villages and reflected local customs.
Explain how the availability of time affected sporting participation in pre-industrial Britain.
Lower classes had limited time due to long working hours, so games were seasonal and played on holy days; upper class had more leisure time to play regularly.
In what ways did gender roles limit female participation in sport during pre-industrial Britain?
Women were expected to be passive, with limited rights and roles; sport was mostly male-dominated. Women occasionally participated in non-strenuous pastimes like archery (upper class) or smock races (lower class).
How did law and order shape sports in pre-industrial Britain?
A lack of formal policing meant many sports were violent and unruly (e.g. mob football), with few restrictions on conduct or safety.
Give a sporting example of how upper-class status affected participation in pre-industrial Britain.
Real tennis was played by the gentry because it required expensive facilities, equipment, and leisure time.
Give a sporting example of how lower-class status affected participation in pre-industrial Britain.
Mob football was common among the working class — it was rough, had few rules, and was tied to village traditions.
What sport is an example of lower-class participation limited by poor transport?
Localised versions of mob football — played only within villages due to lack of travel options.
Compare the roles of men and women in sport in pre-industrial Britain.
Men were active participants in most popular recreations, especially violent or physical games. Women had limited roles, often excluded or only involved in safe, socially acceptable activities.
How did literacy and education influence sporting participation?
The lower class had low literacy and thus played informal, unwritten games. The upper class, being educated, created codified and organized sports like real tennis.
Explain the difference between upper- and lower-class access to transport and how this affected sport.
Upper class had horses and carriages, allowing them to travel for sport (e.g., fox hunting), while the lower class was restricted to local games.
Explain why mob football was suitable for lower-class participants in pre-industrial Britain.
It required no equipment, was played on common land, involved whole communities, and fit within their limited time and money constraints.
Use a sporting example to explain how lack of law and order influenced the nature of pre-industrial sport.
The violent nature of mob football reflected a lack of policing and legal restrictions, allowing dangerous play to go unchecked.
Explain how the characteristics of popular recreation reflect the wider society of pre-industrial Britain.
Local, simple, violent, and seasonal sports mirrored a society with poor transport, low education, limited leisure, and strong class divisions.
Evaluate the statement: “Sport in pre-industrial Britain was a reflection of the social inequalities of the time.”
Agree — upper class had structured, exclusive sports while lower class had rough, communal games. Disparities in money, time, transport, and education created very different sporting experiences.
To what extent did education affect the codification of sport in pre-industrial Britain?
Education allowed the upper class to create rules and structures, laying foundations for codified sports. Lack of education in lower class kept their games informal.
Assess how transport influenced the development of national sport in pre-industrial Britain.
Poor transport meant sports were localised and varied between regions, preventing the formation of national rules or competitions.
Define ‘amateurism’ in sport.
Participation for the love of the game, without financial reward; associated historically with the upper class.
Define ‘professionalism’ in sport.
Receiving payment for participation in sport; typically associated with working-class access to elite sport.
What is the ‘cult of athleticism’?
The belief, especially in 19th-century public schools, that physical endeavour (athleticism) combined with moral integrity built good character.
What is meant by the ‘games ethic’?
The moral code linked with sport in Victorian public schools promoting discipline, teamwork, fair play, and leadership.
