The Development of Key Fighting Techniques During the 1940s - Sports

Over the course of the 1940s, hand to hand combat techniques and related fighting techniques gained wider attention and consideration. Throughout the course of that decade, more and more people learned different fighting techniques. Indeed, what began in the 1940s has carried forward to the present day.

When it came to a developing interest in fighting techniques during the 1940s, the martial arts garnered a great deal of attention in North America, Europe and other nations. (Of course, the martial arts were primary fighting techniques in Oriental countries for centuries.) A number of different martial arts became more widely used in Western nations throughout the course of the Second World War.

One example of fighting techniques that became more prevalent in the 1940s is Karate. Karate originated in Okinawa, an island that became a part of the Japanese Empire in the 1600s. During the Second World War, Karate masters from Okinawa were instructing infantrymen of the Imperial Army in Karate fighting techniques.

There were a number of fighting techniques that actually were developed during the 1940s. Primary amongst these fighting techniques that took root during the 1940s was Aikido. Aikido is a defensive art that is described as having the "ultimate aim of self realization through unification and control of mind, body and ki (spirit)."

Judo became widely practiced during the Second World War. Although some people consider Judo to be a martial sport, rather than a martial art per se, the United States government -- through the armed forces and law enforcement agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation -- began to implement Judo training programs for their fresh recruits.

Another of the fighting techniques that gained wider acceptance and utilization in the 1940s (and onward from that date to the present time) was kickboxing. Thai kickboxing was one form that attracted a significant number of adherents during the World War II era. In addition, Savate -- which is French kickboxing -- became a favorite of the French Resistance. Savate, as one of a number of dominant fighting techniques in the 1940s, grew from French street fighting practices of the late 1700s. In other words, fighting techniques that took root during the French Revolution became important during the French Resistance of the 1940s.

Interestingly, a significant number of the French female population took to Savate or French kickboxing during the Second World War. (Women played a major role in the French Resistance against the invading Nazis.)

In time, growing segments of the population in many countries around the world have taken up one of fighting techniques that either were established during the 1940s or experienced wider application during those war years. These men and women have enrolled in training for these fighting techniques as self defense, exercise and (in the case of the martial arts) for a sense of spiritual self actualization.

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