Sungwon Cho
Mr. Diamond
AP European History
18 October 2019 In what ways did the commercial sporting events of the 18th century reflect
the overall "consumer revolution" of this period? How do the professional sports of today's
world reflect our own patterns of consumption? Do you see any similarities and differences
between the commercial function of sports between the 18th century and today?
While the accessibility to education expanded and practical and entertaining literature spread
among common people during the 18th century, leisure activities also was core part of their
lives. Gathering around talking and drinking with their friends, many people began to enjoy
leisure activities together provided by towns and cities as a form of commercialization. One
of those popular leisure activities was sporting events, including horse races, bullfights, and
boxing matches. Blood sports, including bullbaiting, was also another form of sports that the
masses enjoyed together.
Commercial sporting events of the 18th century reflect the overall consumer revolution of this
period since they are the evidence that a greater part of population could afford time and
money enjoying luxury goods and leisure activities. Unlike the previous society that
committed the life to agriculture for survival and bought only necessities, people of the 18th
century watched a variety of matches and competitions and put their energy in cheering and
arguing with others over who would be the winners.
Elite schools during the 18th century pursued team sports which were derived from peasants’
riotous ball games and made them more organized and regulated by the rules. Those schools
regarded team sports as another form of education that would teach good sportsmanship and
a bonding event that promoted the sense of belonging and bondage. These days, private
schools also see those advantages so encourage or require students to be engaged in various
team sports. Sports teach students to show respectful manners to the rivals, to solidify
teamwork by discussion of their strategies, and to be honest by keeping the rules no matter
what situations they are in. They been the great opportunity to unify all individuals and
enthusiastically support their schools against others. However, there was a slight difference
in variety of sports provided: schools today offer over 20 sports, while the elite schools those
days focused on the football and soccer games.
However, there were not only joyful, energetic moments in sporting events. Some cheated to
make their teams to win. Some failed to control their anger after bitter loss of their teams and
ended up fighting each other. I believe these kinds of problems still occur these days since
there are often violence and fights between fans of different teams in World Cup or Olympics
games.
Another similarity between today and past’s sporting events was that both had material prizes
to encourage people to keep being involved and make them feel thrilled. People spend their
money to buy the tickets for sporting events, many stores run the special sales events in hope
that their country’s team will win and athletic players earn money and reputation from
winning the game. Those days, people enjoyed the sports together as they gained the material
goods or food after they won.