„Aufschwung, Umschwung, Abschwung“
Nationale Turnbewegungen in der ersten Hälfte des 20. Jahrhunderts
Research Project | Duration: February 2025–January 2028
Many sports that are practiced today in their own clubs and associations were founded by and in gymnastics clubs. Its beginnings date back to the 19th century and are associated with the German "gymnastics father" Friedrich Ludwig Jahn. But its history still has a number of gaps. Some of these gaps are addressed in the research project "Upswing, Upswing, Downswing". It focuses on the gymnastics movements and their significance for social and political developments in the first half of the 20th century, with a special focus on the times of Austrofascism and National Socialism. The politically nationally located spectrum provided the basic principles, structures and forms of organization in gymnastics. Therefore, the focus is on the German national/völkisch and Christian-German associations, including the academic associations. Tyrol is surrounded by the nimbus as the Austrian sports country. Therefore, the study is located in Tyrol as an example, but comparisons with the Viennese and Styrian conditions are planned, especially in the academic milieu.
The study directs their interest to the structural, organizational, personnel, ideational and remembrance cultural developments of the (German) nationally oriented gymnastics system. In doing so, she discusses the similarities and differences between the German national/völkisch and the Christian-German segment. The significance of these segments is revealed, among other things, by their embedding in the entire landscape of gymnastics and sports clubs, which also includes Jewish and Social Democratic associations. First, the developments of the structures and organizations of gymnastics clubs and their umbrella organizations will be traced. Entries and exits as well as split-offs and new foundations of clubs and associations are taken into account, central personalities of the gymnastics movements are named and their lives and careers are tracked. Particular attention is also paid to the relationships and interactions between gymnastics and sports clubs of the same and different ideological directions. Furthermore, relationships of individuals and groups to other clubs are considered, be they from singing or brass music, the fields of dance, stage or film, etc. The connections to Landsmannschaften, military associations and the military are also to be shown. An essential category is represented by the possibilities for action of individuals and associations as well as umbrella organisations in the respective political systems. Gender-specific ideas in gymnastics, physical culture and body cult are also addressed.
Dealing with history is linked to perspectives on the present and the future. Therefore, the focus is on how to deal with the association's own past and its representations in the culture of remembrance. Ideological and ideological continuities, but also ruptures, are essential factors.
Project management: Mag. Andrea Sommerauer
Contact:
Mag. Andrea Sommerauer
Institute of Contemporary History
University of Innsbruck
Innrain 52d, 6020 Innsbruck
