The Dreyfus Affair: A Story of Europe, Nationalism, & Anti-Semitism

This course examines the Dreyfus Affair as a seminal moment in French and European history when modernity, nationalism, and anti-Semitism hinted at the horrors of the coming 20^th century. We will begin by considering the historical and political context in which France found itself during the post-1871 era. Against this background, we analyze the wrongful conviction of officer Alfred Dreyfus of espionage on behalf of Germany in 1894 and how his Jewish identity came to be the central element of the Affair. We will assess the implications of the collusion of important members of the military and political hierarchy in the wrongful conviction. The course will not only draw on recent scholarship on European history and anti-Semitism, but will consider art, literature, and news records from the specific periods.