Date
7-22-2025
Department
College of Arts and Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in History (PhD)
Chair
Vance Kincade
Keywords
World War I, The Great War, Sensory History, 20th Century European History, Trench Warfare
Disciplines
History
Recommended Citation
Barham, John W., "The Mind at War: The Lived Sensory Experiences of Allied Soldiers on the Great War Western Front" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7238.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7238
Abstract
The Great War (1914-1918) transformed the way that warfare in both Europe and across the globe was waged. Past historiographical contributions have addressed this phenomenon from technological, tactical, and diplomatic methodologies; however, little consideration has been given to the sensory psychology of soldiers who participated in the conflict. Employing the methodology of sensory history, this dissertation addresses the lived sensory experiences of Allied soldiers on the Western Front of World War I, arguing that the engagement was unique primarily due to the intense sensory psychological experiences of ordinary soldiers. Such experiences discussed include sensory interactions with geography, technology, life routines in the trenches, medical care, and propaganda. As a result of these understudied sensory experiences, society remains enthralled by the Great War. This argumentation is supported by a variety of sources, primarily derived from written correspondence during the conflict and oral interviews conducted in the late 20th century.
