The Assumptionists, La Croix, and the Dreyfus Affair: a Resurgence of French Catholic Politicization
The Assumptionists, La Croix, and the Dreyfus Affair: A Resurgence of French Catholic Politicization by Cathleen Trafton Bachelor of Arts, University of Western Ontario, 2016 A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in the Graduate Academic Unit of History Supervisor: Sean Kennedy, PhD, History Examining Board: Sarah-Jane Corke, PhD, History, Chair Gary K. Waite, PhD, History Chantal Richard, PhD, French This thesis report is accepted by the Dean of Graduate Studies THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW BURNSWICK July 2020 ©Cathleen Trafton, 2020 ABSTRACT When the Dreyfus Affair began in in 1894, French Catholics were significantly less politicized than they became during and after the Affair. For the Assumptionists the Affair allowed them to develop their own brand of anti-Semitic beliefs which shaped their political convictions and broader world view. Focusing on the period between 1895 and 1898, this thesis examines the coverage of the Affair by the Assumptionists’ daily newspaper La Croix, to provide a perspective on French Catholic attitudes on interconnected cultural, religious, and political issues. In using the Affair as a catalyst to promote a return to traditionalist attitudes, La Croix also took the opportunity not only to encourage its particular brand of anti-Semitism, but also to link it to hatred of Freemasonry and Protestantism. The paper’s contributors frequently denounced Jews while also emphasizing the nefarious influence of Freemasons and the international challenges posed by Protestant countries like England and Germany. ii DEDICATION I would like to dedicate this thesis to the memory of my Grandfather, Brian Best who shared his love of history with me from a young age and helped foster my own love of history.
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