Dreyfus Affair

Definition

A political scandal that divided France from 1894 until its resolution in 1906. It involved the wrongful conviction of Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish military officer, for treason.

Analogy

The Dreyfus Affair is like a high-stakes game of Clue where someone was wrongly accused and convicted. This caused a huge uproar among the players (French society), leading to deep divisions and debates about who really committed the crime.

Related terms

Third French Republic: The system of government adopted in France from 1870, during which the Dreyfus Affair occurred.

Secularism: The principle of separation of government institutions and persons mandated to represent the state from religious institutions and religious dignitaries.

Emile Zola: An influential French novelist who played a key role in exposing the injustice of the Dreyfus Affair through his open letter "J'accuse…!"