HIS343Y1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Mi5, First Red Scare, Room 40
Document Summary
Spying dates back to at least roman era. Early spying by britain, not formal process, often used to dig up dirt on political opponents and. In england, france often main target for much of its history plots. Since charles ii secret service fund available. Supposed to be for informants, propaganda etc, becomes principally used for bribes, personal use by leaders. Funding for espionage used in the great game . Victorian war office begins trying to gather strategic intelligence. Britain"s first real forays into intelligence were in service of empire and colonialism. Trying to curb a growing russian influence in central asia. The diplomatic service and foreign office acquired a more professional status. Topographical department: still not doing much, strategic intelligence is ignored and on the field intelligence is valued the most. Thomas best jervis: working in the war office started to change things, he was really good at making maps, great cartographer and topographer.
