Sporting Fever Documentary Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

Why did 'the world' go to Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1930?

The first football World Cup

Why had watching sporting events become so popular by the 1920s and 1930s? What role did sports play in world societies?

The excitement and passion for sport was increasingly exploited.

How did sport change between the 1908 London Olympics and the post-World War One era?

London: women could do archery, amateurs competed, Post WW1: national teams (not individuals), professionalism

What was the fastest growing popular sporting event in continental Europe by the 1920s?

Cycle racing (bikes) Signup and view all the answers

Who was Suzanne Lenglen and what changes did she symbolize?

First major tennis star in Britain; her games were played on the center tennis courts because so many people wanted to see her; she changed the game's image by casting off corsets. Signup and view all the answers

What sport led the charge to 'full commercialism' in modern sport?

Boxing Signup and view all the answers

How did Tex Rickard and Jack Dempsey make prize fighting a big business?

No existing stadium was big enough, so he built his own in NJ to be used once; Dempsey's fight was a successful mass sport providing hundreds of thousands of dollars and 'irresistible theater'. Signup and view all the answers

What role did soccer football play in British society?

In 1900 there was a handful of professional teams; soccer was important for everyone and it was the important conversation topic. Soccer is the game of common men. Signup and view all the answers

How 'comfortable' were soccer stadiums?

Didn’t care if the spectators were comfortable, packed together, and people couldn't use the bathroom. Signup and view all the answers

What happened at Wembley Stadium at the 1923 FA Cup final and what did it symbolize?

Wembley was not big enough for 200K spectators; people jumped in over obstacles to get into the stadium. Signup and view all the answers

What factors transformed baseball into a popular and dramatic entertainment?

They brought women into the audience; they would go to ball games instead of the movies. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Babe Ruth so popular?

He was the most popular hero in the new age of sporting heroes; flaws made him endearing to fans. Signup and view all the answers

How did pay for cricket players and baseball differ?

Baseball $$ > Cricket $$ Signup and view all the answers

How different were the persona of British players like Jack Hobbs from those of baseball stars like Babe Ruth?

Professionals earned less; Jack Hobbs was modest and shy about his gains, whereas Babe Ruth was more flamboyant. Signup and view all the answers

What products did cricket and baseball cards promote?

Collection cards were sold with cigarettes to promote sales through the interest in sport. Signup and view all the answers

Who became a cricket hero in Australia and what was his public image?

New South Wales batsman; his public image was that of a national hero. Signup and view all the answers

What was the 1932 plan the English used to try to take 'the Ashes' back from Australia?

Controversial tactics; plan to exploit one of the players; led to crowd unrest. Signup and view all the answers

What industry capitalized on and promoted soccer fever in Europe?

Sports papers; Italian 'La Gazzetta dello Sport', French 'Le Miroir des Sports', German 'Der Kicker'. Signup and view all the answers

Who brought soccer to Uruguay and to South America?

British came to build railways; their children brought the first uniforms, shoes, and shorts. Signup and view all the answers

What role did soccer play in shaping Uruguay's national identity?

Diego Lucerro played as a boy and went pro; soccer became a diplomatic event and Uruguay won gold twice. Signup and view all the answers

What dramatic conflicts were played out in the first World Cup?

The first World Cup in Uruguay; England boycotted the games; Uruguay faced Argentina. Signup and view all the answers

What three dictatorships used sport during the 1930s to promote their nations?

Soviet Union (Stalin), Fascist Italy (Mussolini), Adolf Hitler's Germany. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Max Schmeling?

A boxer who showed no interest in politics; he was accused of 'demeaning the white race' against Joe Louis. Signup and view all the answers

What happened in the first Schmeling-Louis fight?

Joe lost the match; Germans embraced Schmeling as a Nazi hero. Signup and view all the answers

What image of Germany did Hitler and the Nazis promote at the 1936 Olympics?

Blonde blue-eyed guy selected to run with the torch; brought respectability to the leaders. Signup and view all the answers

How did African American athletes do in Berlin?

They dominated in the competition; Jesse Owens was a track runner. Signup and view all the answers

Who won the propaganda war in 1936?

Germany won; stage management power during the Olympic closing ceremony. Signup and view all the answers

How did the second Louis-Schmeling fight bring together all the forces that were shaping modern sport in that era?

Louis beat Schmeling; nations banded together to cheer for their boxers. Signup and view all the answers

What mattered more to Americans in the second fight, race or nation?

Louis represented all of America; sports were a platform for national pride. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

First Football World Cup

In 1930, Montevideo, Uruguay hosted the inaugural football World Cup, marking a significant global sporting event.

Rise of Sporting Events

The 1920s and 1930s saw a surge in popularity for sports, driven by excitement and the commercialization of sporting events.

Changes in Sport Post-WWI

The evolution from the 1908 London Olympics highlighted women competing in archery to the emergence of national teams and professionalism in sports after World War I.

Popularity of Cycle Racing

By the 1920s, cycle racing became the fastest-growing sporting event in continental Europe.

Suzanne Lenglen's Impact

Suzanne Lenglen emerged as the first major British female tennis star, revolutionizing tennis with her performances and challenging social norms regarding women's attire.

Commercialism in Boxing

Boxing pioneered full commercialism in modern sports, showcasing financial potential in high-stakes matches.

Tex Rickard and Jack Dempsey

Tex Rickard built a stadium to accommodate large audiences for Jack Dempsey’s fights, creating a mass spectacle and symbolizing the American Dream through Dempsey’s rise to success.

Soccer's Role in British Society

In the early 1900s, football was a community staple and a significant social topic, transcending class boundaries as the "game of common men."

Stadium Conditions and Tribal Identities

Soccer stadiums were notoriously uncomfortable yet served to unite communities, fostering fierce rivalries among clubs.

1923 FA Cup Final at Wembley

The final underscored commercialization, with massive turnouts and the BBC promoting games via radio and print, highlighting soccer's cultural significance in Britain.

Baseball's Transformation

To attract broader audiences, baseball engaged women, drawing them to games and increasing its popularity.

Babe Ruth's Celebrity

Babe Ruth became a cultural icon, known for both his prowess in baseball and his relatable imperfections, endearing him to fans.

Pay Disparities in Cricket and Baseball

Professional baseball players generally earned more than their cricket counterparts.

Contrasting Player Personas

Jack Hobbs represented modesty among British cricketers, whereas Babe Ruth exuded a larger-than-life persona.

Promotion through Collectible Cards

Cricket and baseball cards were marketed alongside cigarettes, leveraging interest in sports for commercial gain.

Australian Cricket Hero

A New South Wales batsman became a national hero, embodying the spirit of Australian cricket.

Controversial "Ashes" Plan

The English devised controversial tactics to reclaim "the Ashes" from Australia, leading to public outcry and incidents of unsportsmanlike behavior.

Soccer's Promotion in Europe

Soccer fever in Europe was bolstered by sports papers like "La Gazzetta dello Sport" and "Der Kicker."

Introduction of Soccer to South America

British expatriates introduced soccer to Uruguay, sparking local enthusiasm and youth involvement in the sport.

Uruguay's National Identity through Soccer

Soccer emerged as a diplomatic tool for Uruguay, cultivating national pride through competition against neighbors like Argentina and winning Olympic golds.

Conflicts in the First World Cup

The first World Cup in Uruguay became notorious for rivalries, especially between Uruguay and Argentina, culminating in a final that carried national implications.

Sport as Political Propaganda in the 1930s

Dictatorships in the Soviet Union, Fascist Italy, and Nazi Germany utilized sports for propaganda to bolster national pride and discipline.

Max Schmeling and Joe Louis

Max Schmeling's perceived alignment with Nazi ideals was contrasted by Joe Louis's achievements as a symbol of overcoming racial barriers.

Propaganda through Boxing Matches

The first fight between Schmeling and Louis was emblematic of racial tensions, with Schmeling being hailed as a Nazi hero after winning.

Hitler's Ideology at the 1936 Olympics

The 1936 Berlin Olympics showcased Aryan supremacy, using athletes like blonde-haired runners to reinforce Nazi ideals.

African American Athletes at the Olympics

Jesse Owens and Helen Stephens achieved great success, with Owens facing disdain from Hitler while Stephens was treated favorably.

Outcomes of the 1936 Olympiad

Germany managed to manipulate media narratives at the Olympic closing ceremony, reinforcing their political agenda.

The Second Schmeling-Louis Fight

Louis's victory in the rematch symbolized unification against Nazi Germany, garnering international support for America.

Race vs. National Identity

The second fight highlighted the complex interplay of race and national identity, with sports serving as a means for unity and political mobilization in the lead-up to WWII.

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Test your knowledge with these flashcards from the 'Sporting Fever' documentary. Explore the history of sports, including significant events like the first football World Cup and the evolution of sporting culture in the early 20th century. Ideal for sports enthusiasts and history buffs alike.