Gymnastics: Building a Sense of Community
Immigrants influenced the development of gymnastics in the United States in the 1800s, opening facilities as places of physical training and as a way to build community and foster American patriotism. These centers were based upon the ideas of two European schools.
In reaction to Napoleon’s occupation of Germany in 1811, Friedrich Jahn founded turnvereins (gymnastic unions), a political and athletic movement that trained men in gymnastics and instilled a sense of nationalism. In 1862 in the Czech region of Europe, Miroslav Tyrš and his father-in-law founded the Sokol movement.
An all-age gymnastics organization based on the Ancient Greek belief “a sound mind in a sound body,” Sokols trained people physically, morally, and intellectually. In contrast to Jahn’s “Turnerism,” the Sokol movement aimed to be apolitical and focused on social and communal unity, but it contributed heavily to Czech nationalism. Sokols included activities like marching and discus throwing, which Turners believed to be more athletic and militaristic, rather than a part of “true” gymnastics. Sokols held festivals to display their skills, while Turners did not believe in turning their facilities into parade grounds.