THE ASSASSINATION OF JEAN JAURES

Meetings with destiny

An episode from the series HISTORY’S GREATEST CRIMES

Synopsis

On July 31, 1914, Jean Jaurès, a French MP, a staunch pacifist, a fervent opponent of the war, the undisputed leader of the left, defender of workers, and founder of the newspaper l'Humanité, was shot dead. His death occurred three days before France entered the World War I.

Why and by whom was he murdered? Why did this death have such a profound effect on France's future?