Famous traitors in american history

Meet the 100 most significant americans of all time a new, special issue of smithsonian magazine attempts the impossible. Surely the most famous traitor in history, judas tale is one of the oldest ever written about and is brought to life by mel gibson in his bloody biblical epic. Wikimedia commons the july 17, 1950 arrest photos of julius and ethel rosenberg. Walter allen was convicted of treason on september 16, 1922 for taking part in the 1921 miners march with the coal companies and the us army on blair mountain, west virginia. According to the bible, satan entered judas before he betrayed the son. The ten worst traitors in history innovative history 3. The defense secretary commits what may be the most patriotic act of treason in american history. Her real skills, it seems, were of a more personal persuasion. The ridiculous final resting place of americas most. Aldrich ames began working for the cia during high school. In the middle of the revolutionary war, he changed sides, abandoning the americans fight for independence in return for the military rank and financial reward he received in the british army.

Blacks law dictionary defines treason as attempting to overthrow the government of the state to which one owes allegiance, either by making war against the state or by materially supporting its enemies. Jan, 2020 benedict arnold, the american general during the revolutionary war who betrayed his country and became synonymous with the word traitor, was born on january 14, 1741 arnold, who was raised. Some female traitors were the victims of coercion, while history regards others as falsely accused or framed. Legend states that she sent ten thousand soldiers to their deaths with a single kiss. Some call these individuals heroes, many others call them traitors, but all of these figures became. Who was the most famous traitor during the american. Americas wouldbe economic dictators strived mightily to justify their corrupt scheme by rewriting the history of the american founding. Meet the 100 most significant americans of all time. Blacks law dictionary defines treason as attempting to overthrow the government of the state to which one owes allegiance, either by.

Who is the biggest traitor in the history of mexico. Spies, patriots, and traitors adds a new dimension to our understanding of the american revolution. The ten people in this article are among the most famous traitors in the history of the united states. Countless acts of treachery and turncoatism have undoubtedly darkened several chapters of our history, their aftereffects still being felt even up to now. Selfprofessed nsa leaker edward snowden has seemingly joined the list of famous whistleblowers. However, while many male traitors are well known, the names of all but a few female traitors remain obscure. Join as we count down our picks for the top 10 traitors in history. Under the influence of sen, he began to participate in plots against the government, including an abortive assassination attempt on the manchu regent. Yes, an american vice president was also one of its greatest traitors.

American couple convicted of committing espionage during the height of the cold war. It is a despotic, antiamerican organization that hardly deserves to exist. Some countries have a high constitutional hurdle to. See more ideas about us history, history and american history. Benedict arnolds treason was arguably the most famous betrayal in american history, though there were many more. The most famous female traitor of the 20th century was mata hari. First, traitors have different motives, ranging from the altruistic to the totally selfish. George johnson armstrong civilian guilty of treachery, executed on 10 july 1941. John amery civilian guilty of treason, executed on 19 december 1945.

According to most dictionaries a traitor is someone who is guilty of treason or treachery, in betraying friends, country, a cause, or trust. Oct 03, 2019 a brief history of treason in the united states. Apr 07, 2016 danglars, mondego, and caterousse, the count of monte cristo. You be the judge of these 16 fascinating historical females. Turncoats and traitors seven americans who defected to. The most famous traitor is definitely benedict arnold. During the height of the vietnam war in 1972, film starlet jane fonda visited north. His name is so synonymous with the word traitor in the u. Considered a lunatic rightwinger in his native norway. Considered the greatest traitor in chinese history, wang jingwei was born in 1883. The chapters are minibiographies that give the reader a wonderful look inside the life and mind of the selected traitors. A lot of people would say benedict arnold but i dont think his treason was actually as reprehensible as many portray.

For women too could become turncoats, either for personal gain or idealistic convictions. Benedict arnold, despite the extraordinary efforts and sacrifices he made on behalf of american independence, is probably known best for being a traitor. Unfortunately for us, the philippines has also had its fair share of such characters. See all formats and editions hide other formats and editions. So he looked fondly on the louisiana territory, with its disputed borders, and residents toying with secessionist notions. Marina was a former slave and the translatormistress of hernando cortes, who famously conquered what is today called mexico. Mar 26, 2015 dona marina is famous for betraying her people to the spanish conquistadors. List of allied traitors during world war ii wikipedia. She was an internationally famous exotic dancercourtesan who worked as a double agent for both the french and germans in wwi. And in some cases, the names of history s most notorious traitors remain on the tip of the tongue. Oct 27, 2006 also, his wife was british and a loyalist. All of them with their own reasons and their own prizes gained for betraying their country.

Whether a traitor betrays a country, principle, person or legion of sports fans, the act of betrayal isnt soon forgotten. William bruce mumford, convicted of treason and hanged in 1862 for tearing down a united states flag during the american civil war. Gaius cassius longinus was a famous traitor during the great roman civil war and was known to have always hated tyrants. She is arguably the most detested woman in the hispanic world. The books scrutiny of the tradecraft and management of revolutionary war intelligence activities will be of interest to students, scholars, intelligence professionals, and anyone who wants to learn more about this fascinating era of american. The ridiculous final resting place of americas most famous. You be the judge of these 16 fascinating historical. Feb, 2015 according to most dictionaries a traitor is someone who is guilty of treason or treachery, in betraying friends, country, a cause, or trust. Why benedict arnold turned traitor against the american revolution. Judas was one of the 12 apostles of jesus christ, known mostly for offering to betray jesus to religious authorities in exchange for 30 pieces of silver the new testament describes how judas took the soldiers to gethsemane, where jesus was praying, then kissed him to identify him as the jesus.

Mar 15, 2016 judas was one of the 12 apostles of jesus christ, known mostly for offering to betray jesus to religious authorities in exchange for 30 pieces of silver the new testament describes how judas took the soldiers to gethsemane, where jesus was praying, then kissed him to identify him as the jesus. What was the most famous traitor in us historys name and. Ames entered the soviet embassy in washington in 1985 and offered. When he turned 21, he went to school in japan, where he encountered sunyat sen, a famous chinese revolutionary. Quisling was the president of norway from 1942 until the end of wwii. Encyclopaedia britannica will tell you that british history is full of similar examples of traitors to the crown being executed in the vilest of ways, but the english have had little sympathy even for those whose treachery served the ambitions of the monarch. These traitors often sell their country by offering confidential information or handing over their army in exchange for money or control in a new government of their own. These are but a few of the numerous famous personalities weve come to associate with the word traitor. Library of congress the most famous traitor in american history is arguably benedict arnold, though arnold was not tried for his treachery and the statute defining treason did not exist at the time he tried to sell out american. During the american war of independence the patriots were actually a minority of the population, robert calhoun has estimated th. Did he become a traitor because of all the injustice he suffered, real and. Arguably one of the most infamous filipino traitors in history, pedro paterno was a highly educated lawyer, writer, and ambitious schemer who changed sides whenever it suited him. Legend also has it that jesus knew judas would betray him, but didnt try to stop him. Benedict arnold was an american general who served the reason for the american revolution until he chose to move his devotion to the british.

When the philippineamerican war broke out, he advocated accepting american sovereignty, something he. At the end of the day, the rosenbergs took their place in history as the only american. This is a list of spies who engaged in direct espionage. The most patriotic act of treason in american history. Historically, the person most famous for turning his coat was benedict arnold, a continental army general who fought in the revolutionary war. Danglars, mondego, and caterousse, the count of monte cristo. Julius and ethel rosenberg in 1951 surveillance video frame of jonathan pollard in the act of stealing classified documents this is a list of spies who engaged in direct espionage. Mata hari may be one of historys most famous double agents, but she wasnt a good one. The 7 most notorious traitors in military history americas. Nothing makes a traitor more heinous than collaborating with the nazis. The most famous, or infamous, traitor in american history was major general benedict arnolda brilliant officer, a whirlwind hero, a trusted military comrade of. Treason in the us and what we get wrong on benedict arnold time. There is a famous traitor in american history by name. Nathan hale often dubbed americas first spy, nathan hale was a yale graduate who served in knowltons rangers, a shortlived continental.

One of the bloodiest battles of americas twomonthold campaign in afghanistan had just ended. A fundamental rule of history is to never judge history because it is an amalgamation of timelines conjuring stories of people and societies with radically. United mineworkers of america leader william blizzard was acquitted of the charge of treason by. Top 10 traitors in american history realclearhistory. The most famous traitor in american history is arguably benedict arnold, though arnold was not tried for his treachery and the statute defining treason did not exist at the time he tried to sell out american troops for money and a commission in the british army. Whatever their motivation, the stories of these women, famous or unknown are equally fascinating. He was a colonist who fought in the revolutionary war. These socalled friends of edmond dantes were so jealous of his good fortune in life and love, they accused him of treason, kicking off a series of increasingly unfortunate events that culminated in dantes imprisonment in a 19thcentury island supermax jail. Benedict arnold, american traitor, born benedict arnold, the american general during the revolutionary war who betrayed his country and became synonymous with the word traitor, was born on. During that conflict, cassius chose to side with optimates and pompey because of his fear that julius. Brutus joined with the roman senators, who savagely. Get to know more about these people in this list of 10 biggest traitors in world history. After the war, he and his wife went to england, where he died, the most famous traitor in american history.

It includes americans spying against their own country and people spying on behalf of the united states. Brutus joined with the roman senators, who savagely killed caesar during the height of the revolution. Arnold wasnt a bad general his skills were critical to early american victories, especially. Benedict arnold was an americanborn senior officer of the british army who commanded the. There is a famous traitor in american history by name general. Benedict arnold, the american general during the revolutionary war who betrayed his country and became synonymous with the word traitor, was born on. Harold cole soldier a con man, thief and deserter who betrayed escaped airmen and french resistance members to the gestapo killed by french police 1945 thomas haller cooper member of waffenss guilty of treason.

As a result, he has gone down in history as one of the most infamous traitors in american history. An americanborn convert to islam, adam yahiye gadahn aka. Some of the most famous traitors in the history guru0. Sep 30, 2016 1 the most famous traitor in the history of mexico is definitively santa anna nuestro ilustre vendedor, but he is not the biggest one.

Never in our history has a major political party so blatantly campaigned on destroying the constitution as the democratic party has during this current election cycle. Julius and ethel rosenberg sat down in the electric chair in new yorks notorious sing sing prison on june 19, 1953. Sale writes in such wonderful, descriptive detail that you want to know the same sort of information about other traitors in american history. There were numerous american traitors during the american revolution. According to history, in 470 bc, a man named athenades killed ephialtes for an unrelated reason and was happily surprised when he discovered the reward placed that had been placed on his head. Fresh off his duel with alexander hamilton, aaron burr noticed his political career was now as dead as hamilton was. Throughout history, america has built up a veritable rogues gallery of traitors, turncoats and collaborators, all of whom fought under enemy colours. The worst acts of treason in american history from benedict arnold to robert hans paperback november 4, 2003 by richard sale author 4.

Other women were branded as treacherous for taking a stand against tyranny while others turned traitor as an act of revenge. If the pages of our history are adorned with heroic deeds, philanthropic services and other aweinspiring display of humanity, it is also stained by greed, jealousy of indian traitors. They were called traitors by the revolutionaries but most of them truly felt it was not in the colonies best interest to separate from england. Nov 17, 2014 meet the 100 most significant americans of all time a new, special issue of smithsonian magazine attempts the impossible. He eventually became a spy for the british when he got tired of losing battles. The democratic party is a party of traitors, oakbreakers, liars, and actual or wouldbe tyrant s. Submitted here are ten people who did their level best to see that america couldnt celebrate her official 234th birthday this week. The 7 most notorious traitors in military history americas military. Brutus is persuaded by cassius to join in one of the most famous assassinations in all of history. Even the most famous traitors in american history were not technically guilty of treason. The secrets she gained from rival german and french sources were usually old news. Benedict arnold, the american general during the revolutionary war who betrayed his country and became synonymous with the word traitor. Benedict arnold was an early american leader in the revolutionary war, but his reputation was quickly tarnished when he switched sides and fought for the british.

They sold information regarding the atomic bomb to the soviet union and recruited spies for the russians. Mata hari may be one of history s most famous double agents, but she wasnt a good one. The worst acts of treason in american history from. In doing so they were traitors to the american revolution and the worst kind of corrupt, powerseeking political scoundrels. Today, jafars name is equivalent to the american benedict arnold and the european quisling. Since time immemorial, people have turned their backs on their companions and countries. Arnold is so infamous for his traitorous behavior that his name has become synonymous with the act source.