Susan K. Mitchell - Spies, Double Agents, and Traitors

Secrets, Lies, and Spies

Imagine going on dangerous missions like James Bond? Well, real-life spies risk their lives everyday. They will do almost anything to get the job done. But not all spies are heroes. Double agents will even betray their own country to complete their tasks. If caught, the punishment can be death. Follow author Susan K. Mitchell as she explores the dangerous lives of spies.

This series of books should serve as a starting point for children interested in understanding Intelligence work and may even inspire some to pursue careers in the field.

A very interesting and captivating read. This series provides a good overview of the many aspects of espionage, spanning from its early history up to the present-day.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susan K. Mitchell is the author of many books for children. She is a teacher who lives in Texas with her wonderful family.

The basic skill needed for spying is usually lying. Spies pretend to be something they are not. They lie and do whatever is necessary to complete their missions. Simply put, spies are often not to be trusted. Double agents take that to a different level.

Double agents are spies who pretend to work for one country or agency. In reality, they work for the enemy country or agency instead. For example, Russian KGB agents would pose as American agents. They get jobs working for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). But what they are actually doing is finding out CIA secrets. Then they give those secrets to the KGB.

Some double agents may be traitors. A traitor spies on his or her country for the enemy. Other double agents may agree to spy for the enemy only after they have been captured. It may be the only way they can avoid death. Whatever the double agents reason, this type of spying plays one side against the other. It is the ultimate double cross, and the price for betrayal can be high. Many double agents face prison or death if caught.

One name in spying has become synonymous with the word traitor. That name is Benedict Arnold. He is one of the most infamous double agents in American history. He had many reasons for turning against his country. Some reasons were revenge; some were pride. Either way, he ended up working for the British forces during the American Revolution.

In his early military career, Benedict Arnold was a trusted army officer. He was well liked by General George Washington. He was not, however, well liked by many men in the Continental Congress, the governing body of the United States during the American Revolution. They often blamed him when battles failed. Arnold felt he was being treated unfairly. His anger continued to grow over the years.

By May 1779, Arnold decided to help the British. Driven by revenge, Arnold met secretly with others who were still loyal to England. His main contact was British officer Major John Andre.

The name and face of Benedict Arnold will forever be linked with the word traitor.

General James Wilkinson was an American army officer. He was also a double agent and a traitor. Wilkinson spied on the United States for Spain. He was known as Agent 13. His most famous plot involved Aaron Burr, who was not some low-level military officer. He was the vice president under President Thomas Jefferson!

Burr was plotting to gain control of parts of the American south. These included Louisiana, Texas, and part of Mexico. He wanted to create his own country, separate from the United States. Burr even formed his own army. Wilkinson helped him in this plot while working for Spain. When Burr failed to support Wilkinson, however, the double agent exposed Burrs plans.

General James Wilkinson was a double agent. He was known as Agent 13.

Benedict Arnolds wife, Peggy, was believed to have helped her husband. She may have passed along secret messages written in code or invisible ink. No proof was ever found, however.

Soon, Benedict Arnold was supplying Andre with information. He told him about troop locations. He also gave Andre information about supplies and weapons. However, Arnold had an even bigger plan in mind. He wanted to turn over West Point to the British. West Point was considered one of the best American military forts.

Arnold received an appointment to West Point. He was given command of the fort in August 1780. Right away, he began sending information to the British. Arnold secretly worked to weaken the forts defenses, too. He did everything possible to make West Point easy for the British to capture.

Benedict Arnold (left) meets with John Andre to discuss their secret plans about the fort at West Point. Arnold told Andre to hide the plans in his boot.

Everything seemed to be going according to plan. That is, until Andre was captured. American soldiers found letters and other important documents in his pockets. They were from Arnold. The plot had been exposed! Benedict Arnold was officially a traitor.

Arnold found out about Andres capture. He had to escape. He ran and joined up with the British troops for protection. Andre was not so lucky. He was hanged by American Revolution forces. Arnold eventually escaped to England. He lived there until he died in 1801. To this day, he is most known as an American traitor.

Double agents or traitors are often paid large sums of money for their services. Getting caught, however, can be a far higher price to pay. Sometimes it may mean life in prison. Traitors could also lose their home, money, and all of their belongings.

In many countries, the punishment for treason is death! The death may be particularly gruesome and violent. This is because treason is seen as such a dangerous crime. Double agents are risking their lives when they decide to become a traitor.

Espionage can be an art. It is the art of creating another personality. It is the art of living a lie. Double agents have to be very good actors to convince each side that they are working for them. It requires talent and charm.

Margaretha Zelle was just such a spy. She is quite possibly the most famous female spy in history. She was not known by the name Margaretha, however. She is best known by the name Mata Hari.