Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation
5-2015
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
M.A.
Department
History
Degree Program
History, MA
Committee Chair
K'Meyer, Tracy Elaine
Committee Co-Chair (if applicable)
Vivian, Daniel
Committee Member
Pecknold, Diane
Subject
Circus--United States--History--20th century; Circus--Social aspects--United States
Abstract
The circus, despite its prominence in the American imagination and popular culture, has yet to be given its due among the scholarly studies of cultural historians. This thesis is a historical contextualization of the circus in the United States. It contends that historical processes of rationalization and reform prevalent in the early twentieth century can be adequately interpreted through a study of the circus, and that these forces contributed significantly to the circus’ decline in size and cultural relevance in that period. Specifically, this thesis examines the amelioration of corruption and reform of labor relations as instrumental in the shrinkage and decline of circuses in the United States.
Recommended Citation
Holdzkom, Matt 1981-, "More than "moon gold and marbles" : rationalization, reform, and the transformation of the American circus, 1900-1940." (2015). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 2142.
https://doi.org/10.18297/etd/2142
