Among war's many characteristics is its propensity for acting as an engine of change. War and other violent conflicts can challenge the status quo in a host of arenas from the personal to the public, including politics, professional activities, family lives, and the social and cultural structures we all exist within. It is paradoxical in that it unifies via a shared sense of national identity while simultaneously highlighting inherent divisions, especially along national, gender, and class lines.
War is a fundamentally human activity that casts reverberations far beyond its combatants. We often frame its history as a series of tactical battles led and fought by "Great Men" who shaped and controlled the trajectories of nations, but this framing obscures the broad impact and ramifications large-scale conflict often propels. Framing the study of war around the perspectives and experiences of the myriad people and communities it impacts quickly exposes its far-reaching and pervasive repercussions.
In this exhibit we examine the archival trail left behind by victors, victims, and those who fell somewhere between in the fog of war. As you explore the gallery we encourage you to consider how the archival records and historical artifacts on display challenge or reinforce the preconceived notions of conflict we all hold. Ask yourself what the items on display reveal about the ways individuals intersect with large-scale events, and how personal experiences shape our shifting understanding of war's causes, consequences, and long-term impacts.
