The Dreyfus Affair was a political scandal in France that arose in the late 19th century, centered on the wrongful conviction of Captain Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish officer in the French Army, for treason. The trial, which was marked by anti-Semitic sentiments, revealed deep divisions in French society, exposing issues of nationalism, racism, and injustice. Dreyfus was later exonerated, but the affair sparked widespread public debate about the rights of individuals versus state power, influencing movements for justice and civil rights. The controversy ultimately prompted significant discussions about the military, government, and the treatment of minorities in France.