Coupled with allegations of collusion with the Russian government, the political climate of today should already have us looking back at the forgotten Dreyfus Affairs. Is it really so different in the United States? The troubling events in Charlottesville over the summer, the rise in anti-Semitic propaganda across our colleges and even the rhetoric of our President harken back to French society of 120 years ago. The Dreyfus Affair highlighted a disconnect between the ideals of a nation and the beliefs of its citizens. The Dreyfus Affair would lead Austrian journalist Theodor Herzl, the father of modern Zionism, to abandon the hope for integration of Jews in European societies and call for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Israel. Anti-Semitism had been growing in France for decades, especially among the military. It also exposed ugly realities of French society anti-Semitic rallies were held across the country due to Dreyfus’ Jewish heritage. The events of the Dreyfus Affair were seen as a test for the French Third Republic – freeing Dreyfus was seen as essential for its survival and the continuation of its ideals.
It wasn’t until 1906 that Dreyfus was officially cleared of his conviction. Eventually cleared of his treason conviction, Dreyfus was instead sentenced to a 10 years hard labor, although that too was commuted. In January 1898, Émile Zola published J’accuse…!, a rallying cry of support exonerating Dreyfus. The case split the country conservative pro-army factions clashed openly with intellectual pro-republican leaders. Soon after Dreyfus’ family began appealing the decision. In a highly publicized trial, Dreyfus was convicted of treason and sentenced to life on Devil’s Island, France’s military prison island in the Caribbean. In 1894, a young army officer, Alfred Dreyfus, was accused of selling military plans to France’s mortal enemy, Germany. While the Dreyfus Affair, as it would become known, happened more than a century ago, there are more than a few passing similarities between the events of today and those from the 1890’s. No, this is not related to the current investigation into President Trump’s alleged ties.
#Alfred dreyfus father of zionist trial#
The trial would fundamentally alter the country both changing how citizens viewed each other, the military and other national institutions.
Imagine a trial rocking a nation: accusations of collusion with a hated enemy, wealthy and influential elites taking sides, an entire country riveted by headlines.
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