Everything Everywhere Daily The Dreyfus Affair
Aug 6, 2025
Discover the gripping tale of a wrongful conviction that shook France to its core. The Dreyfus Affair highlighted deep societal divides and sparked a national dialogue about justice. Explore how anti-Semitism intertwined with nationalism in the wake of the Franco-Prussian War. As the scandal unraveled, revelations uncovered systemic flaws in the military's investigation. This riveting story not only changed the life of Captain Alfred Dreyfus but also influenced the political and social fabric of France for generations.
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French Society's Deep Divisions
- The Dreyfus Affair exposed deep divisions in French society about democracy, monarchy, and secularism.
- Anti-Semitism surged as Jews were unfairly scapegoated amid rising nationalism and military veneration.
Dreyfus's Wrongful Conviction
- Captain Alfred Dreyfus was wrongly accused of espionage based mainly on flawed handwriting analysis.
- He was publicly degraded and sent to harsh imprisonment on Devil's Island despite his protests of innocence.
Cover-up Sparks National Scandal
- The army prioritized self-protection over truth, covering up the innocence of Dreyfus and acquitting the real culprit Esterhazy.
- This cover-up ignited a scandal that polarized French society and discredited the military.
