Student Type

Graduate

University

Libera Università Degli Studi Sociali Guido Carli (LUISS)

Country

Italy

Document Type

Conference Paper

Description/Abstract

Spies have always been a subject of intrigue, nowadays we are surrounded by films, tv series, and books based on undercover business. Usually espionage is associated with WW2 or the Cold War, two periods of times in which espionage and secret agencies were essential in order to gather critical information about the enemy. Despite common belief that secret services developed one century ago, espionage and Spy Rings are as old as time. Espionage is the oldest profession in the world, kings used spies to monitor the enemy or to discover plots going around the royal court. In the American Revolution, spying was highly used by George Washington, who can be defined as the father of intelligence. George Washington’s understanding of timely and reliable intelligence, allowed the rebels to outsmart the British and win the war. One of the main differences between our days and the revolutionary ones, is how espionage was seen by society; soldiers refused to act as spies or scouts, espionage was considered dishonourable and not proper for a gentleman. George Washington’s spy ring, the Culper Ring, went beyond what society thought of espionage and served their country in the shadows. The Culper Ring put the basis for modern intelligence also through its methods, used in a more modern and technological key today. In the paper, I will talk about what makes a bad and a good spy using the martyr spy Nathan Hale as an amateur spy, and the Culper Ring as more able spies. The various methods that made the Ring so successful will be analysed alongside the most important missions. These men and women who served their country with immense courage, were humans that despite their different personalities and needs, were united by their love for freedom and justice.

Keywords

Espionage, George Washington, American Revolution, Intelligence, Invisible ink, History

Disciplines

American Politics | Defense and Security Studies | Other American Studies

DOI

10.25776/abqp-tt11

Session Title

From Hampton Roads to Abroad

Location

Virtual (Webb Center, Isle of Wight Room

Start Date

2-10-2023 2:30 PM

End Date

2-10-2023 3:30 PM

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Feb 10th, 2:30 PM Feb 10th, 3:30 PM

International Intrigue in the American Colonies

Virtual (Webb Center, Isle of Wight Room

Spies have always been a subject of intrigue, nowadays we are surrounded by films, tv series, and books based on undercover business. Usually espionage is associated with WW2 or the Cold War, two periods of times in which espionage and secret agencies were essential in order to gather critical information about the enemy. Despite common belief that secret services developed one century ago, espionage and Spy Rings are as old as time. Espionage is the oldest profession in the world, kings used spies to monitor the enemy or to discover plots going around the royal court. In the American Revolution, spying was highly used by George Washington, who can be defined as the father of intelligence. George Washington’s understanding of timely and reliable intelligence, allowed the rebels to outsmart the British and win the war. One of the main differences between our days and the revolutionary ones, is how espionage was seen by society; soldiers refused to act as spies or scouts, espionage was considered dishonourable and not proper for a gentleman. George Washington’s spy ring, the Culper Ring, went beyond what society thought of espionage and served their country in the shadows. The Culper Ring put the basis for modern intelligence also through its methods, used in a more modern and technological key today. In the paper, I will talk about what makes a bad and a good spy using the martyr spy Nathan Hale as an amateur spy, and the Culper Ring as more able spies. The various methods that made the Ring so successful will be analysed alongside the most important missions. These men and women who served their country with immense courage, were humans that despite their different personalities and needs, were united by their love for freedom and justice.