Devon in the First World War, 1914-1918
DEVON IN THE FIRST WORLD WAR WAR AND THE HOME FRONT: DEVON IN THE FIRST WORLD WAR, 1914-1918 By BONNIE WHITE, B.A. Hons., M.A. A Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment ofthe Requirements for the Degree Doctor ofPhilosophy McMaster University © Copyright by Bonnie White, October 2008 ii DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (2008) McMaster University (History) Hamilton, Ontario TITLE: War and the Home Front: Devon in the First World War AUTHOR: Bonnie White, B.A. Hons. (Saint Mary's University), MA. (University of New Brunswick SUPERVISOR(S): Dr. Stephen Heathom, Dr. Martin Hom NUMBER OF PAGES: vi, 344 iii Abstract This investigation contributes to the existing scholarship on Britain and the First World War by examining the war's impact on the county of Devon in southwest England. More specifically, this study pays particular attention to how communities, families, and individuals responded to the pressures ofwar and to what extent social unity was achieved at the county level. By exploring the relationship between the state and its citizens, this dissertation questions the extent to which Devonians were passive and accepting of the sacrifices and hardships that the government required from them, how their experiences were informed, and to what extent class, gender, and religious differences limited public support for the war? While this dissertation argues that Devonians were generally supportive ofBritish participation in the war, that support was provisional and based on the perception of 'equality of sacrifice' - the expectation that the burdens ofwar would be shared equally throughout the county and across all segments of society.
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