Immediately after the war, she was arrested but later released without trial. Last but not least we have Benedict Arnold. Benedict Arnold’s treason was arguably the most famous betrayal in American history, though there were many more. Much like Aaron Burr (above) Arnold’s plan unraveled due to an intercepted document: when American forces captured British Major John André carrying papers revealing the proposed surrender of West Point, Arnold fled to a British ship docked on the Hudson river, narrowly escaping the forces of one highly pissed off George Washington. "In Traitor: A History of American Betrayal from Benedict Arnold to Donald Trump, David Rothkopf puts the presidency of Donald Trump into the historical context of other Americans who have been unfaithful to their country. But You Probably Don’t Know His Whole Story Illustration showing Major General Benedict Arnold (1741 - 1801) … The act of treason can be defined as the attempt to overthrow the government of the state to which you owe faith, either by a war against the state or by material support given to the enemies of the state. 6 – John A. Walker, John A. Walker, a United States Navy Chief Warrant Officer and communications specialist, famously pulled off the biggest betrayal in naval history for twenty long years before he was finally arrested by the FBI in 1985. Guy Fawkes. Et tu, Brute? Rothkopf describes in vivid detail some of the famous traitors in U.S. history, such as Jefferson Davis, … The culmination of his treachery was a plot to deliver up West Point, America’s strongest and most important fortification, to the British. His motivations were purely financial, and he proved to be a screaming bargain: over the next 17 years, Walker gave the KGB the locations of all American nuclear submarines, as well as the procedures the US would follow to launch nuclear missiles at the Soviet Union in the event of war. He offered the Soviets the settings for the KL-47 cipher machine to decode messages from the United States Navy. In true cloak-and-dagger fashion, Ames would mark a blue postal drop box with a piece of chalk whenever he needed to contact his KGB handlers. The most famous, or infamous, traitor in American history was Major General Benedict Arnold—a brilliant officer, a whirlwind hero, a trusted military comrade of George Washington’s. He then handed over settings for the KL-47 cipher machine, which decoded sensitive US Navy messages. Robert Hanssen, a 25-year FBI agent and... 2: The Cambridge Five. Prior to the shooting, Hasan had repeatedly expressed extremist views, most of which had been communicated to his superiors and the FBI. After recapture, he was found not guilty, due to a very precise Supreme Court reading of the Constitution’s definition of treason. Yes, an American Vice President was also one of its greatest traitors. Their trial was considered the “trial of the century,” and many Americans believed the two were wrongfully tried. In fact, the evidence that led to her conviction turned out to be false, so President Gerald Ford pardoned her in 1977. Submitted here are ten people who did their level best to see that America couldn’t celebrate her official 234th birthday this week. She encountered no legal or professional repercussions upon her return to the US, but claims to deeply regret her actions today. "In Traitor: A History of American Betrayal from Benedict Arnold to Donald Trump, David Rothkopf puts the presidency of Donald Trump into the historical context of other Americans who have been unfaithful to their country. In fact, Congressional investigations later found Arnold had spent much of his own money on the American war effort. Throughout her trial she denied any disloyalty to the US, and prosecutors didn’t present a single radio broadcast as evidence against her. “. The Feds had even monitored his e-mails to Imam Anwar al-Awlaki, also known as the “Bin Laden of the Internet”. Worse, however, were his leaks to the USSR of every KGB agent contacting the FBI— conveniently identifying detected double-agents and prospective defectors alike. Robert Hanssen is a former FBI agent who spied for Soviet and Russian intelligence services against the United States for 22 years (1979 to 2001). An American citizen of Japanese descent, she worked as a Radio Tokyo announcer from 1943-1945. Among the songs on the radio, these women were the source of Japanese propaganda designed to make American soldiers nostalgic for returning home. The Rosenbergs were, and still are, a divisive couple. Spymasters were rocked by a string of traitor scandals during the original Cold War. In 1953, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were the first civilians executed under Section II of the Espionage Act. Benedict Arnold conspires to surrender West Point to the British. The ten people in this article are among the most famous traitors in the history of the United States. Burr appeared in court and was not initially indicted, but fled when asked to appear a second time. Aldrich Ames began working for the CIA during high school, and did so until he was discovered to be a Soviet double agent in 1994. In between popular songs, these sirens cooed Japanese propaganda designed to make American soldiers nostalgic and homesick. Sadly, political correctness and a slow-moving investigation prevented the Army from taking action before Hasan murdered 13 people and wounded 30 others. From Cold War spies to Aztec conquerers, these famous betrayals are a reminder that human history isn’t marked solely by acts of good will. All of them with their own reasons and their own “prizes” gained for betraying their country. Hasan currently resides under heavy guard at the Brooke Army Medical Center in Houston, Texas, reportedly a paraplegic. According to Vitaly Yurchenko, a KGB defector, “It was the greatest case in KGB history. Avid Writer with invaluable knowledge in Business Studies, History and Psychology. “You make your own life” atapalaga97@gmail.com. The name Americans love to hate. At one time, he even became responsible for apprehending himself, and he passed some of that off to Aldrich Ames (above). In 1967, U.S. Navy Communications Officer John Walker, Jr. sneaked into the Soviet embassy in Washington with a proposal to sell US secrets to the Russians. In order for you to never miss a story, you can subscribe to this monthly newsletter that will keep you up to date with the latest and greatest articles published each week. Benedict Arnold, despite the extraordinary efforts and sacrifices he made on behalf of American independence, is probably known best for being a traitor. D’Aquino spent six years in prison. From the times that the pyramids were raised to the end of…. Review our Privacy Policy for more information about our privacy practices. Arnold wasn’t a bad general — his skills were critical to early American victories, especially at Saratoga. This is a list of spies who engaged in direct espionage. Rothkopf describes in vivid detail some of the famous traitors in U.S. history, such as Jefferson Davis, … During his spy career, Hanes compromised numerous investigations and operations, including the surveillance of Felix Bloch, suspected of being a so-called “mole”. However, Wilkinson believed the plan would fail, and ratted him out to President Thomas Jefferson. He started a career as a police officer in Chicago, but left to pursue employment as an FBI Special Agent in 1976. During the American Revolutionary War, Arnold began the war in the Continental Army, but later defected to the British Army. Black’s 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”. 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 … Authorities reopened her case with a vengeance in 1948, and she was promptly convicted of treason in 1949. However, Arnold felt passed over and used. By the time of the Last Supper, he had... 7 In fact, Morton Sobell, who was tried along with the Rosenbergs (and served 17 years in prison), admitted in 2008 that yes, he was a spy, and that Julius Rosenberg handed atomic bomb information to the Soviets. 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Write on Medium, The Boy Who Had to Live His Whole Life in Quarantine, How George Washington’s Smallpox ‘Proto-Vaccine’ Helped Save The Early United States — OnlineMedEd. Here, expert and undiscovered voices alike dive into the heart of any topic and bring new ideas to the surface. 6 Julius and Ethel Rosenberg. As a result, he has gone down in history as one of the most infamous traitors in American history. An American citizen of Japanese descent, she worked for Radio Tokyo between 1943 and 1945. Thus, on December 9, 1806, the US Army seized most of Burr’s boats and supplies. Explore, If you have a story to tell, knowledge to share, or a perspective to offer — welcome home. During the American Revolutionary War, Arnold first joined the Continental Army, but later sided with the British. He specialized in selling to the KGB the identities of CIA agents placed inside him. It’s easy and free to post your thinking on any topic. The Bundeswehr has named two barracks after him. Julius and Ethel Rosenberg sat down in the electric chair in New York’s notorious Sing Sing prison on June 19, 1953. Moreover, KGB agents also learned of all the movements of Vietnamese troops from 1971–1973, and the precise plans for the airstrikes that the Americans were to carry out against North Vietnam. He will go down in history as America’s most hated turncoat. He specialized in selling the identities of CIA agents, placed within the KGB, to the KGB. Check your inboxMedium sent you an email at to complete your subscription. The damage to American intelligence cannot be known to its full extent, but Ames is estimated to have exposed more than 100 agents and is directly responsible for at least 10 deaths. While still a general on the American side, he became Commander of the West Point fort in New York, and offered to surrender it to the British. It includes Americans spying against their own country and people spying on behalf of the United States. We deciphered millions of your messages. His name is so synonymous with the word “traitor” in the U.S., calling someone a “Benedict Arnold” can still cause fists to fly over 200 years later. You really have to tread THe story o fthe American revolution.It nearly didn't happen. As a result, Ames was sentenced to life in prison, while his wife received 63 months. The Battery Medic. In between popular songs, these sirens cooed Japanese propaganda designed to make American soldiers... 6 Toggle menu visibility. British Major John André, who helped turn Benedict Arnold to the British cause with the promise of riches and a higher military rank, was captured by Continental soldiers when … And yes, this list is “too American.”. Nidal Malik Hasan was a U.S. Army Major, and the sole suspect in a shooting at the Fort Hood military base, only weeks before he would have deployed to Afghanistan. After the videos made by Gadahn reached the public, he was arrested and became the first American accused of treason since the Cold War. D’Aquino served six years in prison. Robert Hanssen is a former FBI agent who spied for the KGB and Russian secret services for 22 years between 1979 and 2001. Meet The Battery Medic; About; More Info. But in 1948 she was arrested again and sentenced a year later for treason. Robert Hanssen. Why Benedict Arnold Turned Traitor Against the American Revolution The story behind the most famous betrayal in U.S. history shows the complicated politics of the nation’s earliest days Fresh off his duel with Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr noticed his political career was now as dead as Hamilton was. A careful analysis of Ames’ finances revealed that he and his wife raised more than $ 4.6 million over their espionage careers. He died in prison 4) Robert Ford Robert Ford is one of the most famous traitors in history Hell, he’s such a notorious backstabber that even the title of the film made about him calls him out But slow, meandering Brad Pitt vehicles aside, Robert Ford was an outlaw in the 19th Century As a part of Jesse James’ gang, Ford hijacked … 1 decade ago. The FBI was so flummoxed at finding Hanssen, they had to buy the information to put him away (most of which they already had). 7 Ephialtes of Trachis. 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. The British made full use of the services of the new acquisition — Arnold led several raids in Virginia, New London and Connecticut. If it was a war, we would have won it. Immediately after the war, D’Aquino was arrested, but released without being charged. In 1967, Navy communications officer John Walker, Jr. snuck into the Soviet Embassy in Washington, D.C., and offered to sell secrets. Never mind that during the attack, he was not in uniform, but dressed in traditional Muslim clothing, and was shooting unarmed victims while shouting “Allah Ackbar”. As a member of Al Qaeda’s “media committee”, Gadahn was a translator, video producer, cultural interpreter, and spokesman for the terrorist organization. So Burr sent the infamous “Cipher Letter” to General James Wilkinson, Commander-in-Chief of the US Army, detailing the plot and requesting his services. Oddly, the Pentagon never mentions Hasan’s Islamism in its entire 86-page review of the incident. Had King George listened to the early leaders o fhis Colonies and gave the Collonist a fair deal, instead of taxing them todeath so he … Treason! In addition, he identified many Russian agents who contacted the FBI for the KGB. During the height of the Vietnam war in 1972, film starlet Jane Fonda visited North Vietnam and shilled for the North Vietnamese government, screeching that American prisoners of war (POWs) were being treated humanely. “Tokyo Rose” is a collective nickname for several women who worked for Radio Tokyo during World War II. British agents were not all cast in the same mould as movie star Daniel Craig's ultra-loyal James Bond. “Throughout history, America has built up a veritable rogues’ gallery of traitors, turncoats and collaborators, all of whom fought under enemy colours.” IT WAS DEC. 1, 2001. After the plot came to light, in September 1780, Arnold joined the British Army as a brigadier general, with a sizable pension and £6,000 signing bonus. Today, he is in one of the safest American prisons, where he spends 23 hours a day in his cell. Anonymous. An American-born convert to Islam, Adam Yahiye Gadahn (aka, “Azzam the American”) threatened a terrorist attack on Los Angeles in a 2005 Al Qaeda video. If there had been a war, we would have won it.”. Today, he is seen as a classic example of a hanjian, or a traitor to the Han Chinese. Peter Pettigrew not only sold out his friends to Voldemort, he allowed Sirius to take the fall for it while he himself lived a life of luxury as the Weasleys’ prized pet rat. By signing up, you will create a Medium account if you don’t already have one. But Burr knew it was REALLY over when he saw a New Orleans newspaper article with a verbatim copy of the Cipher Letter to Britain. Moreover, KGB agents learned every American troop and air movement to Vietnam from 1971-1973, and they passed this on to their allies, including the planned sites and times for U.S. airstrikes against North Vietnam. Medium is an open platform where 170 million readers come to find insightful and dynamic thinking. This is a publication that has been created to tell the stories of forgotten battles and fortunes that have crafted the world that we live in today. At the end of the day, the Rosenbergs took their place in history as the only American civilians to be executed for espionage during peacetime. Cash and Hanssen’s carelessness eventually led to his capture, and in 2001 he pled guilty to 13 counts of espionage in the United States. Source(s): famous traitor american history general arnold: https://biturl.im/OSXSz. In addition, Morton Sobell, who was tried along with the Rosenbergs and spent 17 years in prison, admitted in 2008 that he had been a spy and that Julius Rosenberg had given the Soviets information about the atomic bomb.