L’Orphelinat des armées at the heart of controversy: the implosion of the sacred union around the orphans

Résumé 0

This article analyses the controversies surrounding L’Orphelinat des armées, which provided assistance to orphans during the Great War. Founded on the initiative of Dick May, an intellectual close to the socialists, it was a imed at all children affected by the war, regardless of their faith or geographical location. It also pursued an ambitious educational model. With a national scope, it was sponsored by the Presidents of the Republic, the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, and by all the ministers in Viviani’s government. L’Orphelinat des armées wanted to embody the sacred union around orphans. However, when preparations were made for a national collection day in 1915, Maurice Barrès attacked the association, catalysing a press campaign that re-enacted the “War of the Two Frances”.