Civil War Baseball & Other Sports?
I need to write a thesis paper about civil war baseball, any ideas on what the thesis could be? The paper needs to prove a point and be about sports during the civil war time period. What opinion could I take on the matter? I was thinking something about how it helped soldiers prepare for battle but I don’t know if there is enough information about that or if anyone would disagree with that point. Thank you for your time and ANY help, hints or links would be greatly appreciated!
You probably should do your research on the subject first, then draw your own conclusion for your thesis. I think after you have read about baseball in Civil War times, you will likely come to something along the lines of; Baseball in the Civil War was a diversion and morale builder, and also improved physical conditioning of the soldiers. It helped ease the boredom, take their mind off the reality of the situation, and created team spirit, amongst Unioin and Conferderate soldiers alike.
You could also go for something a bit more challenging and write something as to how it helped bring opposing sides together and help ease the soul of a nation divided after the war ended.
“It (baseball) had its early evolution when soldiers, North and South, were striving to forget their foes by cultivating, through this grand game, fraternal friendship with comrades in arms.” – Albert Spalding
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/articles/aubrecht2004b.shtml
http://oha.alexandriava.gov/fortward/special-sections/baseball/
I suggest you watch the first inning of Ken Burns’ PBS Baseball documentary.
Here’s a couple of online books you might want to read;
Baseball in Blue and Gray: The National Pastime During the Civil War… – by George B. Kirsch
http://books.google.com/books?id=HBv10IFj-FoC&printsec=frontcover&dq=baseball+and+the+civil+war
From Pastime to Passion: Baseball and the Civil War by Patricia Millen
http://books.google.com/books?id=U-WXIebBre4C&printsec=frontcover&dq=baseball+and+the+civil+war
Good Luck!
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Ladies Sports of the Era of the Hoop, Civil War $22.00 |
