International Intrigue in the American Colonies
Key Words:
Espionage
George Washington
American Revolution
Intelligence
Invisible Ink
History
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.
International Intrigue in the American Colonies
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.