I have surveyed the study of establishment of physical education of Germany with emphasis on Jahn. An idea of traditional physical education of Germany is derived from physical education of championship and is influenced by the culture of Rome and Chr...
I have surveyed the study of establishment of physical education of Germany with emphasis on Jahn. An idea of traditional physical education of Germany is derived from physical education of championship and is influenced by the culture of Rome and Christianity. As a result, it has become a prominent figure of a new idea of physical education. That is to say, physical education at that time took a passive attitude because of the thought that physical exercise was meaningless.
Thereafter, Basedow who was influenced by Rousseau conducted physical education on the basis of patriotism. Gutsmuths encouraged physical education from the view point of pure education. But Jahn developed physical education based on nationalism.
Jahn born to a religious family was a model of nationalism. He devoted his whole life to cultivating healthy body, team spirit and strong nationalism by means of Turmen movement. He thought national traits of Germany resulted from the people's union which was inner instinct, a life and productive power of the people. Therefore, he tried to cultivate the spirit of nation through physical training.
Jahn intended to achieve the goal of nationalism through gymnastics. He conducted the life of body on the basis of national traits of Germany, topographical character and powerful physical strength in relation to the goal of nationalism.