Color mezzotint of Benedict Arnold, 1776, London, by Thomas Hart
During the War of Independence, cunning spies, clever strategists, and treacherous turncoats used intelligence to literally shape the course of history. George Washington understood “the advantage of obtaining the earliest and best Intelligence of the designs of the enemy,” and he was willing to pay for it. In this series, intelligence experts and historians explore individuals and incidents in which espionage played a critical part in the Revolution.
Featured Subject
George Washington: Spymaster
When the Revolutionary War deadlocked, General George Washington unleashed a secret weapon: his spy ring. Washington understood the value of intelligence and knew how to get it. Historian Alexander Rose, author of Washington’s Spies: The Story of America’s First Spy Ring, profiles General Washington as a savvy spymaster who used espionage to turn the tide in America’s favor and how this later would influence the formation of the new nation’s intelligence service. The AMC series TURN: Washington’s Spies is based on Rose’s book, and he also comments on the show’s depiction of Revolutionary spies and spycraft.
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