La Depeche Supplement Illustre (20th Aug 1899)
Object numberM2013/013:016
TitleLa Depeche Supplement Illustre (20th Aug 1899)
DescriptionThis is the August 20th edition of the 1899 La Depeche Supplemente Illustre. The title on the front page reads, 'Affaire Dreyfus - Dreyfus et ses defenseurs' - loosely translating to 'The Dreyfus trial in Rennes'. The back page is another illustration related to Dreyfus, depicting his transportation from Rennes military prison to the site of his trial at Lycee, escorted by a number of soldiers, a police captain and four gendarms. Despite overwhelming evidence comfirming his innocence and an ommission from Esterhazy that he himself had penned the 'bordereau' Dreyfus was convicted of treason for a second time.
Events surrounding this incident are largely referred to as the Dreyfus Affair; the public vilification, humiliation and eventual exoneration of a high ranking officer, accused of leaking French military secrets to Germany.
The affair, eventuating in the court martial and imprisonment of Dreyfus, had a polarising affect on French society and its internal institutions. Anti-Semitic sentiment intensified, particularly from the political right who were intent on discrediting the republic. The clandestine nature of the trial and the circumstantial nature of the evidence were challenged by Dreyfus supporters. Despite these observable injustices however, the affair became a platform for anti-Semitic campaigners. Whilst new evidence was uncovered not long after his incarceration, Alfred Dreyfus was denied an official acquittal until 1906.
The impact of the Dreyfus Affair on both French and European Jewry was considerable. The period became impetus for consideration of Jewish nationalism and fuelled debate regarding the nature of assimilation. Witnessing the anti-Semitic protests first-hand whilst in Paris is cited as a profund influence in the progression of Theodor Herzl's Zionist mandate
Events surrounding this incident are largely referred to as the Dreyfus Affair; the public vilification, humiliation and eventual exoneration of a high ranking officer, accused of leaking French military secrets to Germany.
The affair, eventuating in the court martial and imprisonment of Dreyfus, had a polarising affect on French society and its internal institutions. Anti-Semitic sentiment intensified, particularly from the political right who were intent on discrediting the republic. The clandestine nature of the trial and the circumstantial nature of the evidence were challenged by Dreyfus supporters. Despite these observable injustices however, the affair became a platform for anti-Semitic campaigners. Whilst new evidence was uncovered not long after his incarceration, Alfred Dreyfus was denied an official acquittal until 1906.
The impact of the Dreyfus Affair on both French and European Jewry was considerable. The period became impetus for consideration of Jewish nationalism and fuelled debate regarding the nature of assimilation. Witnessing the anti-Semitic protests first-hand whilst in Paris is cited as a profund influence in the progression of Theodor Herzl's Zionist mandate
Production placeFrance
Production date 1899-08-20
Subjectantisemitism, Zionism, pre World War I, mass media
Object namenewspapers
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 300.00 mm
height: 420.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Judge Judith Gibson