Degree Name

MA (Master of Arts)

Program

History

Date of Award

5-2020

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Brian Maxson

Committee Members

John Rankin, Stephen Fritz

Abstract

During the Great War many in British society started to utilize Crusading language and rhetoric to describe their experiences during the war. Those utilizing the rhetoric ranged from soldiers, journalists, politicians, to clergymen. The use of Crusading rhetoric tended to involve British nationalism, the region of Palestine, anti-Germanism, and more. Adding to the complexity, the soldiers’ and civilians’ rhetoric differed greatly between the two groups. While the soldiers focused on their personal experiences during the war, and often compared themselves to the British crusaders of old serving under Richard the Lionheart. The civilians had a less personal approach, and a far greater tendency to use the rhetoric against the German Empire. The focus of this study will be to examine who utilized crusading rhetoric, why they used it, and the contrast between the soldiers and civilians who used it.

Document Type

Thesis - unrestricted

Copyright

Copyright by Seth Walker

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