ABSTRACT
In France, since 1870, one has to contend with varying fortunes and strength with two opposite currents of sentiment and policy. One is that of revanche against Germany, inspired by the old traditions of glory and hegemony, associated with hopes of a monarchist or imperialistic revolution, and directed in the first place to a recovery of Alsace-Lorraine. The other policy is that of peace abroad and socialistic transformation at home, inspired by the modern ideals of justice and fraternity, and supported by the best of the younger generation of philosophers, poets and artists as well as by the bulk of the working class. French militarism in the Dreyfus case, was scotched but not killed, and the contest was never fiercer than in the years immediately preceding the war. After 1870, French chauvinism centred not only about Alsace-Lorraine, but also about the colonial expansion which took from the date a new lease of life in France.
