The Second Trial of Alfred Dreyfus: June 5, 1899

On June 5, 1899, the case of Alfred Dreyfus, a French Jewish artillery officer, resumed with a second trial in Rennes, France. This trial was a pivotal moment in the Dreyfus Affair, a controversy that had gripped France and exposed deep societal divisions, particularly highlighting issues of anti-Semitism and miscarriage of justice.

Background

Alfred Dreyfus was originally convicted of treason in 1894, accused of passing military secrets to the German Empire. His conviction was based on questionable evidence, including fabricated documents. The trial and subsequent conviction were marred by widespread anti-Semitic sentiment, which played a significant role in public perception and the verdict.

The Dreyfus Affair quickly became a national scandal, with society split between the “Dreyfusards” who advocated for justice and review of the trial, and the “anti-Dreyfusards,” who believed in his guilt and the infallibility of the military court.

Émile Zola and “J’Accuse”

The case gained further notoriety with Émile Zola’s open letter “J’Accuse” published in 1898, which accused the French military of a cover-up and judicial wrongdoing. This publication was instrumental in raising public awareness and garnering support for Dreyfus’s cause.

The Second Trial

As the Dreyfus Affair continued to unfold, evidence that pointed to another officer, Ferdinand Walsin Esterhazy, as the actual perpetrator of the espionage emerged. Political pressure and national outcry led to the annulment of the original conviction by the French Supreme Court in 1899, thereby necessitating a second trial.

On June 5, 1899, Dreyfus once again stood before a military tribunal. Despite the overwhelming evidence of his innocence and the international scrutiny the case had attracted, deep prejudice and institutional loyalty within the military cast a shadow over the proceedings.

Aftermath and Significance

Although the second trial initially ended in another conviction with a reduced sentence, public pressure and ongoing legal battles eventually led to Dreyfus’s pardon by the President of France, Émile Loubet, later in 1899. In 1906, Dreyfus was officially exonerated by the French Supreme Court.

The Dreyfus Affair highlighted critical issues of anti-Semitism, miscarriage of justice, and civil-military relations, leading to significant political and social changes in France. It also underscored the importance of press freedom and public opinion in challenging institutional injustices. The affair is often cited as a pivotal moment in the development of modern France’s commitment to secularism and the rights of individuals.