Abstract EN:

The Protestants from the Drome are the third most numerous group in the South East of France. Due to historical circumstances, they have a strong cultural identity. Despite their theological diversity, their opponents consider them as a homogenous group showing solidarity. Between the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century, they became the victims of an Anti-Protestant campaign. They were accused of being France’s enemy agents and of stealing administrative and political power from the Roman Catholic majority. The anti-protestant sentiment was often associated with anti-semitism. However it was not as strong and it tended to become weaker after the virulent attacks at the 1902 elections. On the other hand, the Protestants from the Drome evinced fierce anti-clericalism and were thereby identified with the Republicans. The connivance declined given the greater influence of the freethinkers within the Radical Party. The controversies between the latter and the Protestants did not jeopardise the support mustered around the Republicans. Nevertheless they advocated the separation between Church and State and the respect of religious freedom. Then they became the vigils of secularity (laïcité). The sacred union allowed to put former oppositions between the different schools of thought into perspective but did not eliminate the controversies. In spite of a population decrease, the Protestant minority kept their cultural difference. Shaken by an awakening, they took a firm stand left-wing until the victory of the Popular Front.