The Dreyfus Affair In France

The Dreyfus Affair in one of the most notorious trials in France, even still known as the “Affair” today. In 1894, an agent of counterespionage discovered a note, now known as the Bordereau, which included information about a new gun, information about different troops, artillery formation, information about Madagascar movements, and a draft for a firing manual. The firing manual was the most concerning to the French, who had discovered it since it was so difficult to obtain. This led to an immediate search to find the agent within the ranks who was spying for the Germans. Eventually, one of the main suspects was Alfred Dreyfus who was a Jewish Alsatian. With only the Bordereau and handwriting analysis and information not disclosed to his lawyer, …show more content…
Once this information that proved it was not Dreyfus who was a spy but instead was Ferdinand Walsin-Esterhazy, Picquart was sent to prison and Esterhazy had a quick trial that ended in him being acquitted. Finally, in 1899 Dreyfus returned to France for a retrial and although he was given a new ten-year sentencing, it was eventually acquitted by the President of the Republic, and in 1906, Dreyfus was exonerated and became a major in the French Army. This act was a permanent mark on the French Army was completely based on the view of the public. It was condemned by the popular anti-Semitic and determination to follow through with the accusation and only reopened due to a wave of intellectuals as well as the family of Dreyfus putting considerable effort into the …show more content…
This was due to several reasons including the new sense of nationalism growing among the French people at the time. Nationalism is the belief that the country a person was born or was raised in is the best country out of all other countries. Because of that, many believed that only people who were viewed as properly French should be allowed inside of France. Jews were especially disliked during this time when the country was considerably Catholic at the time. There were several different organizations at the time that were anti-Semitic including the National League of anti-Semites in France who considered themselves, “An instrument of national revival… [Who] will fight the pernicious influence of the financial sway of the Jews.” This was not an uncommon focus of the Anti-Semitic groups, but they also made a push against Jewish officers in the French army. Many believed that as soon as many Jews gained offices in the military, then they would be able to completely take over France since they had already become masters of finances and administrations. These common sentiments were extremely condemning to Alfred Dreyfus’ case, which can be seen in the public’s shouting of “Death to the Jews” and “Death to the traitor” during the public