Alfred Dreyfus by Thomas, Keira ('25)

Jews response to trial - lizzie

2024-10-17 01:17:49 UTC

All jewish people in and out of France were shocked that the trail was unfair toward a jewish man who respected his country and held a high leadership. There was not much action from the jews toward the trial because of antisemist mobs and blaming could have made the jews grow into fear and silent.

Theodor Herzl, a jewish journalist, after the trail wrote about zionism and creation of the Jewish State, expressing that these could end antisemitism. Since the trial furthered his beliefs that antisemitism is still around, no matter how much people try to forget about their past.

Who was Alfred Dreyfus?

2024-10-17 13:47:38 UTC

Alfred Dreyfus was a general army officer, born in Alsace on October 9, 1859. He grew up the youngest of 9 children and graduated from the Ecole Polytechnique military school in Paris in 1880. In 1885, Dreyfus was promoted to Lieutenant in the French military and then Captain in 1889. He died in 1935. Alfred Dreyfus was the first Jew to hold an officer position on the general staff and was tried at the end of 1894 for treason.

The final outcome

kthomas223_1 — 2024-10-17 14:01:53 UTC

Although Dreyfus was finally found innocent at the end, his persecution shook faith in the Jewish community in France. All of them were shocked that a man who was so patriotic could not have an equal and free trial like every other french citizen. This trial also impact French Politics as it demonstrated how the Franco-Prussian war deeply affected the split of left and right in the beliefs on anti-semitism on the country, challenging France's catholic identity. Dreyfus was officially exonerated in 1906 and was eventually re-admitted to the army, dying in 1935.

The Accusation and Trial - liz

2024-10-17 14:06:59 UTC

A secret French military document was sent to the german embassy, an act of treason. Dreyfus was convicted with minimal evidence, fueled by antisemitic hatred of the only jew serving in the French Army's headquarters. The prosecutors used secret and forged documents in their evidence against Dreyfus, along with falsified testimonies, negating his right to a fair trial. He was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison, eventually being exiled to Devils Island. Dreyfus was striped of his military stripes and his sword was broken on display for a crowd.