France's relationship with Germany, and the outbreak of WWI

ready for war.In 1870 a War broke out. France was not ready and was defeated. They very quickly became annoyed and agitated by Germany’s control.Dreyfus Affair & Arrest; Major Esterhazy tries to blame Dreyfus for Spying.Esterhazy gives info 2 Germans on military status aka the ‘Bordereau;’ of French Army secrets and manoeuvres.The ‘Bordereau,’ was used to find evidence of how to find who was giving secret information to the Germans. They can to the conclusion that it was someone who was an expert in military artillery; because of documents 1-5 including, firing acts of the 120 cannon; notes on the firing manual of field artillery and a note on modifications to the French artillery’s formations.They would have needed access to the war office, and Dreyfus fitted these, and also he was not considered one of the lads as he was Jewish. Dreyfus’ conviction, Court Marshall opened on the 19th Dec 1894, no firm proof. Dreyfus denied charges. French Intelligence forged documents. 22nd Dec 1894 Dreyfus was found guilty and sentenced to a deportation to a fortress prison.5th Jan 1895 Dreyfus was submitted to cashiering, to be publicly stripped of rank. 21st Feb 1895 Embarked for Devils Island.Doubts of the Affair. Dreyfus’ family were convinced of his innocence. In 1895 Major Picquart – Established that a mistake had been done. Family hoped for re-trial. It became clear when the German Embassy were still receiving secret documents.1896 a letter was found in a waste paper bin in the German Embassy; indicating that Esterhazy was a spy. Picquart amazed to find Bordereau and letter had both the same handwriting.Major Henry, Esterhazy’s co-worker in crime, was completely against Dreyfus and proceeded to forge documents. He wrote a letter to the Italian Embassy telling them that he would deny all knowledge of Dreyfus’s trial, as he was a Jew. This forgery became known as ‘Faux Henry,’ (False Henry.) Henry again forged more evidence to frame Picquart as he was to close.  He continued working with Esterhazy telling lies until he could be safe.From this France was divided in two. Protests and demonstrations began. The teams boiled down to the ‘Dreyfusards’ and the ‘Anti-Dreyfusards.’1898 Army’s Case crumbled. Faux Henry was found to be a forgery; by sticking pieces of paper together, that were clearly different. He removed all doubt when he took a razor to his throat and sliced his neck.3rd June 1899. Dreyfus appeared in front of a Court Marshall in Rennes. After a month he was found guilty once again.19th Sept 1899 Dreyfus was pardoned but it wasn’t until 12th July 1900 that the Supreme Court cleared Captain Dreyfus. He died in 1935. The French people now absolutely despised the Germans as an innocent man had been through so much and the treachery they had been put through.Alsace- Lorraine to Franco- German relations. France annoyed, not allowed to have Alsace and Lorraine, which they previously owned. It was not a co-incidence that it was the centre of attention. France couldn’t accept the fact that they had to give up 1-½ million people of their population in the loss of these provinces. Zabern Incident. German officers of a small town, ‘Zabern’ in Alsace insulted and had their men beat up its citizens. There were protest and these people were later locked up. As you can see from this list of events France had many reasons for why they hated Germany sop much. It was down to the fact that France wanted Revenge for the war of 1870. They despised the Germans for the acts of some individuals, and for the treatment the French received.   [a]