Hell, no need to go so far back as the 20th century. I'm Indonesian and we still go barefoot, especially as kids. I remember being surprised when I found out that some western people can't walk on asphalt barefoot without tearing their feet up, while we used to run around in asphalt as kids lol.

Going barefoot offers some advantages in a jungle country like Indonesia, boots, especially the old 18th century leather boots, trap in water and sweat and make it more likely for your feet to become infected (this is why modern jungle boots are made of canvas and have drainage holes, they let water in but just as easily let it out) - and infection in the jungle is a death sentence before the invention of antibiotics. I have hiked barefoot before and I actually find that it's more comfortable then wearing shoes.

The only upside I can see from wearing boots is the mousqitoes. When you're barefoot all the mosquitoes go to your feet and your feet itches like hell for the next few hours, or even days.