Free Essays on Early 20th Century

Early 20th Century Systematic espionage aided the Japanese in defeating the Russians in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-5. In preparing for World War I the Germans again flooded France with a host of espionage agents, some of whom were disguised as trade representatives, teachers, agricultural laborers, or domestics. The most famous of these agents was Mata Hari, who posed as an Indian dancer in Paris. German agents also engaged in attempts to sabotage American national defense both before and after the U.S. entry into World War I. Most nations, however, entered World War I with inadequate espionage staffs, and the war was frequently fought on the basis of poor intelligence. The lessons of that war, along with rapid advances in technology, especially in communications and aviation, spurred a major growth in intelligence agencies. This was further stimulated by the advent of Fascist governments in Europe and a military dictatorship in Japan, all of which had expansionist foreign policies, and the creation of counterespionage agencies such as the Gestapo in Nazi Germany. These developments led other, democratic countries to establish counterespionage systems as well. World War II. World War II was the great stimulus to intelligence services worldwide. Modern military and communications technology put a premium on accurate and quick information, as well as on efforts to protect the security of sensitive information. Some of the great battles of World War II were actually intelligence and counterintelligence battles. Only in recent years have some of the exploits, and failures, in this secret war been disclosed. Notable is Operation Double Cross, in which the British captured practically all the German spies in Great Britain during the war and turned them into double agents who sent false information back to Germany. Also, the British and their allies were able to break the German secret code, providing access... Free Essays on Early 20th Century Free Essays on Early 20th Century Early 20th Century Systematic espionage aided the Japanese in defeating the Russians in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-5. In preparing for World War I the Germans again flooded France with a host of espionage agents, some of whom were disguised as trade representatives, teachers, agricultural laborers, or domestics. The most famous of these agents was Mata Hari, who posed as an Indian dancer in Paris. German agents also engaged in attempts to sabotage American national defense both before and after the U.S. entry into World War I. Most nations, however, entered World War I with inadequate espionage staffs, and the war was frequently fought on the basis of poor intelligence. The lessons of that war, along with rapid advances in technology, especially in communications and aviation, spurred a major growth in intelligence agencies. This was further stimulated by the advent of Fascist governments in Europe and a military dictatorship in Japan, all of which had expansionist foreign policies, and the creation of counterespionage agencies such as the Gestapo in Nazi Germany. These developments led other, democratic countries to establish counterespionage systems as well. World War II. World War II was the great stimulus to intelligence services worldwide. Modern military and communications technology put a premium on accurate and quick information, as well as on efforts to protect the security of sensitive information. Some of the great battles of World War II were actually intelligence and counterintelligence battles. Only in recent years have some of the exploits, and failures, in this secret war been disclosed. Notable is Operation Double Cross, in which the British captured practically all the German spies in Great Britain during the war and turned them into double agents who sent false information back to Germany. Also, the British and their allies were able to break the German secret code, providing access...