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  1859: Alfred Dreyfus is born in Alsace, a town in France.   1871: France loses the town of Alsace to the German Empire so it is

now a part of Germany.   1892: Alfred Dreyfus completes his military training and becomes an

Officer in the French Army.   1894:

  September: The French realize military secrets are being sent to the Germans. (This document is called the Bordereau)

  October: Dreyfus is secretly accused, arrested, and imprisoned.   December: Dreyfus is tried and sentenced to life imprisonment on

Devils Island.   1895: Dreyfus is publically shamed and stripped of his military rank.

He leaves for Devils Island in April 1895.

The Beginning

 1896: Lieutenant Colonel Georges Picquart realizes Major

Esterhazy is a German spy and the author of the Bordereau.  1897: Vice President of the French Senate Auguste Scheurer-

Kestner attempts to reopen Dreyfus investigation due to new evidence that he is innocent.

 1898:   January: Esterhazy is found innocent by the military and Emilie

Zola write “J’Accuse” where he accuses the French military of a conspiracy against Dreyfus.

 August/September: Esterhazy appears before a military inquiry and gives details of his spying activity then flees to England.

The Facts Revealed

 1899:

 August/September: Dreyfus is brought back to France, receives a second trial, and it causes an international sensation. Dreyfus is again found guilty under “extenuating circumstances” and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Dreyfus supporters face angry mobs and protestors. The country is divided between supporting their military and supporting Dreyfus.

  September 19th: Dreyfus is pardoned by the French President and released from prison.

Dreyfus Returns

 1906: Dreyfus is finally reinstated into the French Army and

receives a full exoneration.  1908: Dreyfus supporter Emilie Zola’s ashes are moved to

the Pantheon. (A site for important French citizens) During the ceremony Dreyfus is shot by Louis Gregori and wounded, but does not die. Gregori is acquitted and never serves time in prison.

 1914: Dreyfus volunteers for active duty during WWI.  1935: Alfred Dreyfus dies.  1998: A commemorative plaque honoring Dreyfus and Zola

is unveiled.

Aftermath