Before the circus consisted of what we know and love today, back in the roman times the 'circus' was considered place of fighting the death. Then, In the early 1800's due to Philip Astley, a famous horse jumper, the first amphitheatre was opened in London for Astley to showcase his skills.
From this, rival circus' were made all around the world, including in Florida by P.T Barum, an entrepreneur who made money out of deformed humans and caged animals, which was named a 'Freakshow' an example of somebody who would of been involved in a freaks is a woman who was called 'Miss Lala' who was a very small woman who had extreme strength. Lala was sold into slavery and ended up in a circus in the South of France.In writings of the time, Lala is described as a ‘dusky’ Amazon and greatly admired for her agility and strength and one who was ‘strong above the average of womankind in the jaw’. In Paris, Lala’s iron jaw act was described as so much better than those which had come before including those of male iron jaw performers.
Though, the circus was considered a home for people who may be considered 'outsiders' due to their abnormal features due to being surrounded by people who may be considered to be 'like them' creating an environment where people would feel protected and 'at home'. As well as the acceptance of 'freaks' in circus culture, circus also plays a role in no racism within who was successful and who was not. An example of this was 'Pablo Franque' one of the biggest circus owners in England in Victorian Britain. when talking about Franque's success, his race was never mentioned, which in Victorian Britain, is very impressive.
Though, In Russia, the circus did not have the same intentions, but instead was used as propaganda for Mosco. Ringling and Barnum circus was shut down due to people being convinced that it was being run by Putin.
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