A political scandal “J’accuse…. !” The Dreyfus Affair

The Dreyfus Affaire This showed This showed The depth of anti- Semitism in France The depth of anti- Semitism in France The deep divisions that existed in society The deep divisions that existed in society The power of the press The power of the press Captain Dreyfus.

The 19 th century. During the last part of the 19 th century, France had a secret service During the last part of the 19 th century, France had a secret service Agents and double agents could spy on the enemy: Germany, Austria and Italy. Agents and double agents could spy on the enemy: Germany, Austria and Italy.

Secret documents In 1894, a French double agent was working in the German Embassy. In 1894, a French double agent was working in the German Embassy. There she discovered, in one of the bins, some documents in French containing very important information. There she discovered, in one of the bins, some documents in French containing very important information.

The problem. Only five French officers could have betrayed their country. Only five French officers could have betrayed their country. How was the French secret service going to find the one that had written the documents? How was the French secret service going to find the one that had written the documents?

The solution. The five officers had to undertake a dictation to write a similar document The five officers had to undertake a dictation to write a similar document

Accused of spying. Captain Dreyfus, whose hand was shaking, was of Jewish origin. He was accused of espionage. Captain Dreyfus, whose hand was shaking, was of Jewish origin. He was accused of espionage. He was condemned because of the anti- Semitic feelings of his colleagues. He was condemned because of the anti- Semitic feelings of his colleagues.

The Trial Dreyfus claimed he was innocent, but all the judges unanimously declared him guilty. Dreyfus claimed he was innocent, but all the judges unanimously declared him guilty. He was condemned to life imprisonment. He was condemned to life imprisonment. He was deported to Devil’s Island in Guyana, in spite of his protestations of innocence. He was deported to Devil’s Island in Guyana, in spite of his protestations of innocence.

The degradation of Dreyfus Before leaving, Dreyfus had to submit to a public degradation. Before leaving, Dreyfus had to submit to a public degradation. During this ceremony of shame in front of his regiment, an officer ripped off Dreyfus’ epaulettes, broke his sword, and crushed them on the ground. During this ceremony of shame in front of his regiment, an officer ripped off Dreyfus’ epaulettes, broke his sword, and crushed them on the ground.

The campaign starts. Dreyfus’ brother declared that anti- Semitism was the only reason for the guilty verdict of the Court. Dreyfus’ brother declared that anti- Semitism was the only reason for the guilty verdict of the Court. He demanded that the judgment be overthrown. He demanded that the judgment be overthrown. He was joined by supporters who called themselves: « Dreyfusards ». He was joined by supporters who called themselves: « Dreyfusards ».

Public opinion The press and public opinion took up the cause with passion; they belonged to two main groups. The press and public opinion took up the cause with passion; they belonged to two main groups. The « Dreyfusards » who were mostly to the left of politics (Socialists) The « Dreyfusards » who were mostly to the left of politics (Socialists) The « anti-Dreyfusards » who were mostly to the right, Conservative, side of politics. The « anti-Dreyfusards » who were mostly to the right, Conservative, side of politics.

J’Accuse In 1898, Émile Zola, the famous writer, published his article titled: « J’Accuse ! » in the « Aurore », a left-wing newspaper. In 1898, Émile Zola, the famous writer, published his article titled: « J’Accuse ! » in the « Aurore », a left-wing newspaper. He denounced the judicial error and attacked several members of the government He denounced the judicial error and attacked several members of the government He exposed to the world the anti-Jewish feelings of the nation. He exposed to the world the anti-Jewish feelings of the nation.

He is innocent. Zola showed that Dreyfus was innocent and that he had been found guilty due mostly to the anti-Semitic feelings of Army leaders. Zola showed that Dreyfus was innocent and that he had been found guilty due mostly to the anti-Semitic feelings of Army leaders. Zola was, in fact, totally convinced of Dreyfus’ innocence. Zola was, in fact, totally convinced of Dreyfus’ innocence.

Dreyfus regains his freedom. There was a big campaign for Dreyfus’ freedom. There was a big campaign for Dreyfus’ freedom. Faced with this opposition, the government had to re-try the case. Faced with this opposition, the government had to re-try the case. In1906, Dreyfus was found innocent and brought back to France. In1906, Dreyfus was found innocent and brought back to France. Dreyfus after his return to France.