Large Scale Gymnastic Festivals (Pan-Sokol Slets): The Greatest Social Movement on Polish Territory Prior to the First World War

Abstract

The basis of the Sokol movement in Europe in the nineteenth century was as a result of a number of social, political, and institutional phenomena, as well as changes in the fields of education, culture and customs. Development of medical and pedagogical knowledge was an important factor for progress in physical education in the nineteenth century, but also in the forming of the Sokol Gymnastics Society. The inspiration for Sokol within Polish territory was the then gymnastic systems, and the earlier formed Czech Gymnastics Society. However, a significant factor certainly was the political and social situation within former Poland.