Write three thoughtful, well-structured essays. History Essay

Essay 1. (B)
The Dreyfus affair was a significant event for France that triggered its politics, compromising the future of France. The affair is about the army captain named Alfred Dreyfus who is a Jew. In 1984, he was mistakenly accused of being a spy working for the Germans. There was an outburst from the public that illustrated anti-Semitism. Due to his handwriting, he was convicted as it illustrated some kind of similarity to that of the letter containing some sentences from the infamous “bordereaux” from the real spy. It was later on revealed as Ferdinand Walsin Esterhazy. With his conviction, a court-martial was held and he was forced to march in the military academy’s courtyard. He was then sent to the Devil’s Island where he has convicted lifetime imprisonment, living in solitary confinement. Several pieces of evidence were gathered by his supporters – the Dreyfusards – to prove that the real culprit is Commander Esterhazy. However, Esterhazy was still acquitted. The trial was then again reopened due to the supporting evidence of his innocence gathered by politicians, intellectuals, and military figures. But rather than acquitting him, he was again found guilty. It was not until 1906 that his innocence was finally proven. The affair has divided France into two strong opposing camps. Different political ideologies we’re revealed throughout the course of this affair – both of the left and the right. This period depicted a growing nationalism along with a strong anti-Semitic undercurrent.
The effects of the Dreyfus affair have widened the gap between anti- and pro-republic movements. The affair has resulted in the establishment of dominance over the army, destroying the possibilities of restoring monarchy as desired by the monarchists and militarists. The turn of events of this affair had impacted greatly France, altering the whole French politics. This has also led to the reinforcement of the democratic parliament, highlighting the values of democracy. Moreover, the defeat of the opposing camp – anti-Dreyfusard – have emphasized the success of the republic against the army and clerical movements. This victory was sealed in 1905 as the church was separated from the state, losing the place of religion in the field of politics.
Initially, when Dreyfus was convicted of treason and was found guilty, all media and press assumed that he was indeed guilty, “from right to left, there is not one newspaper that defends Dreyfus.” As the affair unfolds, some media have turned to leave but were still greatly outnumbered by the anti-Dreyfusard. The media has witnessed the events of this affair as they were utilized and manipulated by several groups of individuals gathering sympathy from the public, changing their point of view to their favor. The Dreyfus affair is considered as the main aspect which shifted French politics. However, the press and the media are notable for their role as a trigger, inciting change. Both parties have employed media as a weapon wherein the right-wing utilized it to gather supporters from the anti-Semitic masses, depicting Dreyfus as a traitor, while the left strategically manipulated its articles to reveal the on-going conspiracy that the ...