Chapter # The industrial revolution transforms the United States into a world economic leader. American race relations reach a new low. Through a series of discriminatory laws and practices, white society segregated African Americans, treating them as second-class citizens and often brutalizing them. Advances made in many areas of American life: science, technology, education, and medicine. In this era of rapid change and sweeping transformation, sport establishes itself as a popular American pastime.

The United States, blessed with booming population growth and abundant natural resources, emerges as the world leader in total manufacturing output and annual economic growth. John Pierpont Morgan (1837–1913) Andrew Carnegie (1835–1919) John D. Rockefeller (1839–1937) The United States becomes the top producer of iron and steel in the world. Higher wages and more structured workdays offered many Americans both the free time and the money to attend or participate in a wide spectrum of sporting activities.

As an influx of new immigrants emerged the US became a melting pot and with it came various ethnic and religious backgrounds fueling an intense American nationalism. Considered a threat to both American institutions and native interests, epidemics of violence broke out repeatedly. In this period of high ethnic tensions, sport emerged as both a positive Americanizing force and an avenue for immigrants to fulfill the American dream of increased wealth and social mobility.

Born out of contemporary notions of black racial inferiority, and fueled by economic, political, and social frustrations, de jure and de facto segregation spread throughout the nation. Racism took its most extreme form in the South as demonstrated by the increased prevalence of lynching's of blacks. Supported by “Jim Crow” segregation and discriminatory statutes, African Americans were excluded from active citizenship and were segregated in almost every area of southern public life, including railways, hospitals, living areas, and sports

Jim Crow laws (1876 – 1965) De jure was racial segregation in all public facilities in Southern states of the former Confederacy, with a supposedly "separate but equal" status for black Americans. Northern segregation was generally de facto, with patterns of segregation in housing enforced by covenants, bank lending practices, and job discrimination, including discriminatory union practices for decades. Examples included segregation of public schools, public places, and public transportation, and the segregation of restrooms, restaurants, and drinking fountains for whites and blacks

For African Americans, sport served as both a positive and negative force. Successful black athletes enjoyed some luxuries and freedoms not available to other members of their race. Sport reinforced racial stereotypes and, in certain instances, established a color-barrier preventing black participation

The nation's economy continued to grow as did traditional gender relations. Women began entering the workforce in increasing numbers, working predominately in the teaching and clerical professions. Supported by the political demands of women's rights advocates, American women enjoyed greater social freedom and challenged traditional definitions of femininity. Although ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment would have to wait until 1920…

The Spanish-American War = United States as an imperial power. With the annexation of Hawaii in July 1898, the United States acquires former Spanish colonies: Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam. Within these new territories American colonizers introduce sports: baseball, football, and boxing. This solidifies colonial relations and teaches new subjects important American values

Advances in science, technology, education, and health care improves American lifestyles. Electric trolleys and mechanical bicycles replace horse- drawn carriages Railroads connect American cities into a national grid. Improvements in technologies: printing press and the telegram = the growth of mass- media These developments in transportation and communication proved pivotal to the spread of sport throughout the United States.

The field of medicine modernized and placed a renewed focus on caring for and improving the human body. Medical specialists advocated increased physical exercise. Education became more available as the amount of public high schools steadily increased. Physicians and other theoreticians proposed physical education and sporting activities. Within the school system. Higher education experiences growth as more students sought advanced degrees and with it sport flourishes on campuses. As a growing awareness focused on improving the lives and health of Americans, sport transforms into a positive force in the attainment of national well-being