Date of Award

1-1-2010

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

College/School/Department

Department of History

Content Description

1 online resource (vi, 319 pages)

Dissertation/Thesis Chair

Lawrence Wittner

Committee Members

Dan White, Nadieszda Kizenko

Keywords

Absolutists, Britain, Conscience, Conscientious Objection, United States, World War I, World War, 1914-1918, Conscientious objectors, Draft

Subject Categories

History of Religion | Peace and Conflict Studies | United States History

Abstract

Conscience and the freedom to exercise conscience have long been cherished civil liberties in western democracies. However, during World War I, traditional concepts of conscience and conscientious objection to military service were challenged by the demands of conscription and militarism in the United States and Britain. This dissertation examines the definition, context, and exercise of conscience by conscientious objectors (COs) during the war. This study finds that conscience existed in a dynamic state. COs were compelled by changing circumstances to reevaluate and restate their objections as they responded to changing circumstances in army camps, guardhouses, and prisons.

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