The athletic crusade : sport and American cultural imperialism

The Athletic Crusade is the first book to systematically analyze the role of sports in the expansion of U.S. empire from the 1890s through World War II. Gerald R. Gems details how white, Anglo-Saxon Protestant males set the standard for inclusion within American society, transferred that standard to foreign territories, and subtly used American sports to instill allegedly desirable racial, moral, and commercial virtues in colonial subjects. In the realm of such expansion, sports provided a less harsh, less militaristic means of instilling belief in a dominant system’s values and principles than more overt methods such as war.The process of change, however, had unexpected consequences as subordinate groups adapted or even rejected American overtures. Sport became a means for nonwhites to challenge whiteness, Social Darwinism, and cultural hegemony by establishing their own physical prowess, claiming a measure of esteem, and creating a greater sense of national identity. Gems shows the direct influence of sports in Hawaii, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic and explores their comparatively minimal influence in countries such as China and Japan.Amid increasing globalization, The Athletic Crusade offers a welcome perspective on how the United States has attempted to spread its influence in the past and the implications for the future of indigenous and other societies. (20070629) The Athletic Crusade is the first book to systematically analyze the role of sports in the expansion of U.S. empire from the 1890s through World War II. Gerald R. Gems details how white, Anglo-Saxon Protestant males set the standard for inclusion within American society, transferred that standard to foreign territories, and subtly used American sports to instill allegedly desirable racial, moral, and commercial virtues in colonial subjects. In the realm of such expansion, sports provided a less harsh, less militaristic means of instilling belief in a dominant systems values and principles than more overt methods such as war. The process of change, however, had unexpected consequences as subordinate groups adapted or even rejected American overtures. Sport became a means for nonwhites to challenge whiteness, Social Darwinism, and cultural hegemony by establishing their own physical prowess, claiming a measure of esteem, and creating a greater sense of national identity. Gems shows the direct influence of sports in Hawaii, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic and explores their comparatively minimal influence in countries such as China and Japan. Amid increasing globalization, The Athletic Crusade offers a welcome perspective on how the United States has attempted to spread its influence in the past and the implications for the future of indigenous and other societies. The Athletic Crusade Is The First Book To Systematically Analyze The Role Of Sports In The Expansion Of U.s. Empire From The 1890s Through World War Ii. Gerald R. Gems Details How White, Anglo-saxon Protestant Males Set The Standard For Inclusion Within American Society, Transferred That Standard To Foreign Territories, And Subtly Used American Sports To Instill Allegedly Desirable Racial, Moral, And Commercial Virtues In Colonial Subjects. In The Realm Of Such Expansion, Sports Provided A Less Harsh, Less Militaristic Means Of Instilling Belief In A Dominant System's Values And Principles Than More Overt Methods Such As War.--jacket. Race, Religion, And Manifest Destiny -- China And The Rejection Of Christianity -- Baseball And Bushido In Japan -- Sport And Colonialism In The Philippines -- Hawaii As A Cultural Crossroads Of Sport -- Cuba And The Rehabilitative Qualities Of Sport -- Sport And The Restoration Of Pride In Puerto Rico -- Sport And Economic Retaliation In The Dominican Republic -- The Outposts Of Empire -- The Globalization Of Sport. Gerald R. Gems. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [201]-224) And Index. Contents......Page 8 1. Race, Religion, and Manifest Destiny......Page 12 2. China and the Rejection of Christianity......Page 28 3. Baseball and Bushido in Japan......Page 41 4. Sport and Colonialism in the Philippines......Page 56 5. Hawaii as a Cultural Crossroads of Sport......Page 78 6. Cuba and the Rehabilitative Qualities of Sport......Page 93 7. Sport and the Restoration of Pride in Puerto Rico......Page 110 8. Sport and Economic Retaliation in the Dominican Republic......Page 126 9. The Outposts of Empire......Page 136 10. The Globalization of Sport......Page 159 Notes......Page 176 Bibliography......Page 212 Index......Page 236