How Social And Cultural Factors Influenced Sport In Post 1850 Industrial Britain

Question 1

Social class

Answer 1

Rise of middle class
Amateurs middle or upper class took part for the love of the sport and to test themselves, more acceptable ethos
Working classes still little time to participate however professionalism where existed associated with working class
Professionalism more emphasis on winning and financial gain and was less acceptable ethos

Question 2

Middle class influence

Answer 2

Middle class factory owners unwilling to give workers fair days off
Discourages mob games as they led to injury and time off work
Sometimes factory owners fund trips to sea side to keep fit and healthy

Question 3

Gender

Answer 3

Society male dominated but less so towards end of 19th century
Middle class women restricted by Victorian ethics which dictated their behaviour
Lawn tennis some opportunity to be athletic
Working class women had little opportunity to participate
Towards end of 19th century high male morality rate due to working conditions, wars, male emigration and pioneers for female equality meant the role of women moved away from just being a housewife and mother.
Required in other areas of life eg in sport or schooling

Question 4

Law and order

Answer 4

Police force established 1829
Violence less tolerated
Decline of mob games for more rationalised codified games
Set equal player numbers and sport specific clothing eg boxing gloves became mandatory in 1865
Blood sports such as dog fighting banned (RSPCA been formed)
Fox hunting still allowed as upper class enjoyed and they controlled police

Question 5

Education and literacy characteristics

Answer 5

Pre 1800s little interest in providing education for working classes to keep them subjugated
Working class little interest in education as children could work
1870 Forster act and 1891 education act led to compulsory education and greater level of education
Fee paying schools long existed

Question 6

Availability of time and money characteristics

Answer 6

Upper and middle classes wealthy and enough leisure time
Working class typically had less leisure time and disposable income
Shorter working week Saturday half day
Clearer distinction between work and leisure time
Change of middle class attitude to leisure
Factory acts improved working conditions
Public parks
Slight wage increase

Question 7

Education/literacy sports and pastimes

Answer 7

Working class more able to understand complex sport and read advertising
Participation rates increase to end of an era
Increased literacy led to rise of sporting press
Codified written rules became necessary useful and universal for all sports

Question 8

Availability of time and money and how it shaped sport

Answer 8

Upper and middle classes more sporting opportunities
Working classes less opportunities
Start of post industrial long hours 72 hours a week, 666
Discouragement from leisure by factory owners meant a decline in sporting participation from pre industrial Britain
Later in post industrial factory owners began to see benefits of sport- healthier happier more productive
Work teams/seaside excursions
Inc in number of parks lead to Inc participation
Working class could now afford gate money

Question 9

Type and availability of transport

Answer 9

Huge development of railways network
Most influential factor
Because of railways teams could travel further afield to play matches
Spectators could travel to watch
Agreed rules needed
Leagues cups and competitions established
Regional national and international competitions possible
Horse racing became even more popular
Recreational trips possible to seaside/ fly fishing in the Scottish highlands

Question 10

Country sports for upper class

Answer 10

Hunting shooting fishing

Question 11

Middle class

Answer 11

golf, tennis, football, rugby, athletics as means to test their character as gentleman amateurs