The Dreyfus Affair

205 Pages·2002·11.62 MB·English

by  Leslie Derfler

The Dreyfus Affair
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The Dreyfus Affair
LESLIE DERFLER
Greenwood Guides to Historic Events, 1500-1900
Linda S. Frey and Marsha L. Frey Series Editors
GREENWOOD PRESS
Westport, Connecticut • London
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Derfler, Leslie.
The Dreyfus affair / Leslie Derfler.
p. cm.—(Greenwood guides to historic events, 1500-1900, ISSN 1538-442X)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-313-31791-7 (alk. paper)
1. Dreyfus, Alfred, 1859-1935. 2. France—Politics and government—1870-1940.
I. Title. II. Series.
DC354.D38 2002
944.081'2'092—dc21 2001038365
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data is available.
Copyright © 2002 by Leslie Derfler
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be
reproduced, by any process or technique, without the
express written consent of the publisher.
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2001038365
ISBN: 0-313-31791-7
ISSN: 1538-442X
First published in 2002
Greenwood Press, 88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
An imprint of Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc.
www.greenwood.com
Printed in the United States of America
The paper used in this book complies with the
Permanent Paper Standard issued by the National
Information Standards Organization (Z39.48-1984).
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 21
Copyright Acknowledgments
The author and publisher gratefully acknowledge permission for use of the following
material:
Extracts from Jean-Denis Bredin, The Affair: The Case of Alfred Dreyfus (New York:
George Braziller, 1986). Used by permission of George Braziller Publishers.
Extracts from Arthur Hertzberg, The Zionist Idea (New York: Doubleday, 1959).
Copyright © 1959 by Arthur Hertzberg. Used by permission of Doubleday, a division
of Random House, Inc.
CONTENTS
Series Foreword by Linda S. Frey and Marsha L. Frey vii
Preface xi
Acknowledgments xv
Chronology of Events xvii
Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Ministers of War During
the Dreyfus Affair xxiii
Chapter 1 Historical Overview 1
Chapter 2 Before Dreyfus: The French Political Context 7
Chapter 3 Anti-Semitism and the Dreyfus Affair 17
Chapter 4 Socialists and the Dreyfus Affair 29
Chapter 5 The Dreyfus Affair in History 39
Chapter 6 Conclusion 57
Biographies: The Personalities in the Dreyfus Affair 65
Primary Documents of the Dreyfus Affair 117
Glossary of Selected Terms 151
Annotated Bibliography 155
Index 165
Photo essay follows page 63.
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SERIES FOREWORD
American statesman Adlai Stevenson stated that "We can chart our future
clearly and wisely only when we know the path which has led to the
present." This series, Greenwood Guides to Historic Events, 1500-1900,
is designed to illuminate that path by focusing on events from 1500 to
1900 that have shaped the world. The years 1500 to 1900 include what
historians call the Early Modern Period (1500 to 1789, the onset of the
French Revolution) and part of the modern period (1789 to 1900).
In 1500, an acceleration of key trends marked the beginnings of an
interdependent world and the posing of seminal questions that changed
the nature and terms of intellectual debate. The series closes with 1900,
the inauguration of the twentieth century. This period witnessed profound
economic, social, political, cultural, religious, and military changes. An
industrial and technological revolution transformed the modes of produc
tion, marked the transition from a rural to an urban economy, and ulti
mately raised the standard of living. Social classes and distinctions shifted.
The emergence of the territorial and later the national state altered mans
relations with and view of political authority. The shattering of the reli
gious unity of the Roman Catholic world in Europe marked the rise of a
new pluralism. Military revolutions changed the nature of warfare. The
books in this series emphasize the complexity and diversity of the human
tapestry and include political, economic, social, intellectual, military, and
cultural topics. Some of the authors focus on events in U.S. history such
as the Salem Witchcraft Trials, the American Revolution, the abolitionist
movement, and the Civil War. Others analyze European topics, such as
the Reformation and Counter Reformation and the French Revolution.
Still others bridge cultures and continents by examining the voyages of
viii Series Foreword
discovery, the Atlantic slave trade, and the Age of Imperialism. Some focus
on intellectual questions that have shaped the modern world, such as
Darwin's Origin ojSpecies, or on turning points such as the Age of Roman
ticism. Others examine defining economic, religious, or legal events or
issues such as the building of the railroads, the Second Great Awakening,
and abolitionism. Heroes (e.g., Lewis and Clark), scientists (e.g., Darwin),
military leaders (e.g., Napoleon), poets (e.g., Bryron), stride across its
pages. Many of these events were seminal in that they marked profound
changes or turning points. The scientific revolution, for example, changed
the way individuals viewed themselves and their world.
The authors, acknowledged experts in their fields, synthesize key
events, set developments within the larger historical context and, most
important, present a well-balanced, well-written account that integrates
the most recent scholarship in the field.
The topics were chosen by an advisory board composed of historians,
high school history teachers, and school librarians to support the curricu
lum and meet student research needs. The volumes are designed to serve
as resources for student research and to provide clearly written interpre
tations of topics central to the secondary school and lower-level under
graduate history curriculum. Each author outlines a basic chronology to
guide the reader through often confusing events and a historical overview
to set those events within a narrative framework. Three to five topical
chapters underscore critical aspects of the event. In the final chapter the
author examines the impact and consequences of the event. Biographical
sketches furnish background on the lives and contributions of the players
who strut across this stage. Ten to fifteen primary documents ranging from
letters to diary entries, song lyrics, proclamations, and posters, cast light
on the event, provide material for student essays, and stimulate a critical
engagement with the sources. Introductions identify the authors of the
documents and the main issues. In some cases a glossary of selected terms
is provided as a guide to the reader. Each work contains an annotated
bibliography of recommended books, articles, CD-ROMs, Internet sites,
videos, and films that set the materials within the historical debate.
These works will lead to a more sophisticated understanding of the
events and debates that have shaped the modern world and will stimu
late a more active engagement with the issues that still affect us. It has been
a particularly enriching experience to work closely with such dedicated
professionals. We have come to know and value even more highly the
Series Foreword IX
authors in this series and our editors at Greenwood, particularly Barbara
Rader and Kevin Ohe. In many cases they have become more than col
leagues, they have become friends. To them and to future historians we
dedicate this series.
Linda S. Frey
University of Montana
Marsha L. Frey
Kansas State University