London Holocaust Library Examines the Dreyfus Affair and Viral Antisemitism

London's Wiener Holocaust Library is hosting a new exhibition that investigates the 1890s Dreyfus affair, exploring it as the world's first major experience of antisemitism spreading rapidly through mass media. Curators at the institution note that the historic case features striking parallels with how anti-Jewish hatred manifests in modern times. The controversy began in 1894 following the wrongful conviction for treason of Alfred Dreyfus, a French army captain. Faster printing presses and the lifting of French censorship laws allowed the public dispute to escalate quickly.

The resulting clash between those convinced of Dreyfus's guilt and his defenders generated a massive wave of newspaper specials, specialized journals, and posters. Opening 120 years after his exoneration, the exhibition displays around 40 items, including materials sourced by the library's founder, Alfred Wiener, who fled Nazi Germany for the Netherlands before moving to London in 1938.

Among the notable pieces on display are examples from the Musée des Horreurs poster series, which caricatured key figures defending Dreyfus in an effort to dehumanize them. Other exhibits include copies of the right-wing newspaper La Libre Parole and a special edition of the British weekly publication the Graphic. Curators emphasize that these historical artifacts illustrate a toxic public debate driven by rapid media distribution and severe political polarization.

The Dreyfus affair demonstrates how rapid printing and relaxed censorship allowed antisemitic propaganda to spread widely.

Why it matters

This exhibition highlights the historical mechanisms of media-driven hatred and polarization, demonstrating how public discourse can be manipulated during times of national crisis. The lessons drawn from the 1894 wrongful conviction remain relevant for understanding the modern spread of prejudice and misinformation.