Post-1850 sport

Question 1

Which factors influenced sport in post-1850 Britain?

Answer 1

1. Social class
2. Amateurism and professionalism
3. Gender
4. Law and order
5. Education and literacy
6. Availability of time and money
7. Availability of transport
8. Influence of public schools:
   - Promotion and organisation of sports
   - Promotion of ethics through sports
   - The ‘cult’ of athleticism
   - The spread and export of sports and ethics.

Question 2

How did social class influence sport in post-1850 Britain?

Answer 2

1. Upper and lower classes were now accompanied by the middle class
2. Middle class included professionals, factory owners and managers, how did not own big estates and were not born into aristocracy
3. Many members of the middle class went to public schools, which were influential in the development of sports such as rugby and football.

Question 3

How did amateurism and professionalism influence sport in post-1850 Britain?

Answer 3

1. Amateurs were not not paid, this status suited the upper and middle classes
2. Amateurs and professionals played in the same team but lower-class professionals bowled and cleaned the kit
3. Professionalism in rugby was most controversial, as the growth of social mixed northern teams led to broken-time payments, where lower classes were paid to miss a days work to play
4. These payments were against the amateur principles of the upper class, tensions led to rugby splitting into 2 codes, league and union, in 1895
5. The professionals did not fit in the the image of a gentlemanly game.

Question 4

How did gender influence sport in post-1850 Britain?

Answer 4

1. In early 1800s, women were expected to marry, have children and be financially dependent on their husbands. Many regarded education for women as pointless
2. Schooling for girls was initially limited, compared to boys. Women were allowed to become teachers, but this was a low-status, poorly paid job
3. During the late 1800s, the status of women began to change, a shortage of men due to high mortality rates due to wars supressed the assumption that women had to marry
4. Limitations on schooling for women were identified by the Taunton Royal Commission Report 1868.
5. This had an encouraging effect on women to be more involved in sport and physical education in schools.

Question 5

How did law and order influence sport in post-1850 Britain?

Answer 5

1. The development of laws affected the type of activities undertaken, especially for the lower class
2. Laws led a decline in blood sports
   E.g. animal baiting
3. Upper classes held onto their sports
   e.g. fox hunting
4. Law makers were from the upper classes, so it was in their interest to support the sports they enjoyed.

Question 6

How did education and literacy influence sport in post-1850 Britain?

Answer 6

1. The vast majority of the working classes had very little interest in education as it was perceived to be of little relevance
2. Child labour was still common practise, working-class families were reluctant to give up earnings of their children for the benefits of education
3. The 1850 Forster Act modernised education in England
4. Elementary education became free with the passing of the 1891 Education Act
5. Education became more accessible to the working classes, allowing them to understand more sophisticated rules in sport
6. Sport became more widespread.

Question 7

How did availability of time and money influence sport in post-1850 Britain?

Answer 7

1. Growth of factories meant 72 hour working weeks were common, leaving little time for sport
2. Introduction of the Saturday half-day allowed more time for sport
3. Participation was still hard for working class due to lack of disposable income
4. Living conditions remained poor, deprivation and poverty were high so sport was not a priority
5. By 1965, the working week was 40-45 hours, reducing by the end of the 20th century to 37-40 hours, allowing more time for sport
6. Law today states that workers must have 4 weeks of holiday, allowing time for sport

Question 8

How did transport influence sport in post-1850 Britain?

Answer 8

1. The introduction of the railways allowed performers and spectators to travel to events
2. The introduction of cars in the 1900s increased ability to travel to games