Dreyfus affair

Cultural  

1. A scandal in France at the end of the nineteenth century involving a Jewish army officer, Alfred Dreyfus. Dreyfus was falsely convicted of betraying French military secrets and was sentenced to life imprisonment. French society was deeply divided over Dreyfus, with liberals, including Émile Zola and Georges Clemenceau, arguing that he was innocent, and conservatives defending the French military authorities. Dislike of Jews (see also Jews) also affected the opinions of many in France about the incident. Zola's article “J'accuse” (“I accuse”) strongly influenced the public in Dreyfus's favor. Dreyfus was eventually cleared of all charges, reinstated in the army with a promotion, and publicly honored.

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Example Sentences

The accusation, based on a comparison of handwriting on a document found in the German's wastepaper basket in Paris, kicked off what would become known as the "Dreyfus affair".

From Barron's • Nov. 18, 2025

On Tuesday, Mr. Macron seemed to indirectly respond to Mr. Zemmour’s revisionist statements as he inaugurated a museum on the history of the Dreyfus affair.

From New York Times • Oct. 26, 2021

French novelist Emile Zola also faced trial in the building during the Dreyfus affair at the end of the 19th century.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 8, 2021

A controversy known as the Dreyfus affair became a battleground for these opposing forces.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2012

But the Dreyfus affair revealed a real danger hidden by the word science.

From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day