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[[File:Maria Stuart Execution.jpg|thumbnail|left|280px|Figure 1. Mary Queen of Scots execution reflected the final outcome of a major plot against Elizabeth I. This plot led to the creation of the first organized espionage network in England.]]
Spying has existed since early historical societies in the Middle East, China, and southeast Europe. However, spy services are generally a later development, where groups of government individuals and ultimately agencies within government became responsible for external and internal spying. England, one of the first countries to have a formal spy service, greatly professionalized spying and made it one of the birthplaces of what ultimately became modern espionage.
====Early History====The rise of espionage or spying services could be traced to the Catholic and Protestant conflicts of the 16th and 17th centuries in Europe. In England, there was both a fear of a Catholic invasion and attempt to take the English throne as well as a desire to shape events in Europe, particularly in the Netherlands. Under the reign of Elizabeth I (1558-1603), one of the first official spymasters in English history arose in the figure of Francis Walsingham, who was also the Secretary of State for Elizabeth I. Another key person was William Cecil. Together, these two helped form what was called the Bond of Association, which was a document, and effectively a foundation document, for a network of spies that devoted themselves to the protection Elizabeth I after the Throckmorton Plot.<ref>For more on the Elizabethan spy network, see: Steve Arman, Simon Bird, Malcolm Wilkinson, & Rosemary Rees (eds.) (2002) <i>Reformation and rebellion 1485 - 1750</i>. Headstart in history series ed.: Rosemary Rees ; 22002. 1. publ. Oxford, Heinemann.</ref>.
The rise of espionage or spying services could be traced Throckmorton Plot was a plot by English Catholics to the Catholic murder Elizabeth I and Protestant conflicts place Mary Queen of Scots on the 16th and 17th centuries in Europethrone (Figure 1). In EnglandWhile the plot failed, there was both a fear of a Catholic invasion and attempt to take it made the English throne and a desire aides nearest to shape events in Europe, particularly the Netherlands. Under the reign of Elizabeth I (1558-1603)realize that England would continue to face external threat, one of the first official spymasters in English history arose in the figure form of Francis WalsinghamSpain in particular, and internal descent from Catholics who was also the Secretary of State for Elizabeth Iwanted to put a Catholic monarch back in power. Another key person What was William Cecil. Together, these two helped form what was called significant about the Bond of Association, which is it committed a network of people to ensure any plot against the Protestant monarch would be attacked even if the reigning monarch was a documentkilled. This, and effectively a foundation documentin effect, for a network put the interest of the Protestant state ahead of spies any individual, even if that devoted themselves individual had a valid claim to protection Elizabeth I after the Throckmorton Plotthrone. Any potential killers were to be effectively killed at all costs.<ref>For more on the Elizabethan spy networkBond Association, see: Steve Arman, Simon Bird, Malcolm Wilkinson, J. A. Wagner & Rosemary Rees Susan Walters Schmid (eds.) (20022012) <i>Reformation and rebellion 1485 - 1750Encyclopedia of Tudor England</i>. Headstart in history series edSanta Barbara, Calif, ABC-CLIO, pg.: Rosemary Rees ; 22002. 1. publ. Oxford, Heinemann143.</ref>.
====British Espionage Services====The increasing complexities of the 19th century and British entanglement in international affairs as the British Empire expanded demonstrated a new structure was needed to manage the government's espionage services. In 1909, the Security Service (MI5) and Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) were created with the realization two agencies were needed to manage domestic (MI5) and foreign intelligence (MI6) gathering. At this point, the emerging power of Germany became the biggest foreign threat, while civil unrest over inequality and poor conditions meant that MI5 was also very active in thwarting rebellion and rise of new ideas such as Communism. However, it was the events of World War I where both these services saw great expansion and began to mature to the systems we know them today. Even before the war, there was much tension over the increasing naval arms race between Britain and Germany that led to many accusations of espionage against Germany, with at least one case where a true plot was, indeed, uncovered.
While MI5 was active in keeping Germany and other threats away from harming Britain, MI6 worked to cultivate its spies in the continent. The development of many spies in Belgium, in particular, allowed Britain to gain a lot of quality intelligence from Germany during the course of the war. This network was known as ‘La Dame Blanche, where everything from monitoring train movements to troop movements and reports about battlefield losses were obtained from the spy networks primary area of operations in Belgium.<ref>For more on the ‘La Dame Blanche, see: Richelson, J. (1997) <i>A century of spies: intelligence in the twentieth century</i>. Oxford paperpacks. New York, Oxford Univ. Press, pg. 23.</ref> After World War II, military clandestine warfare began to be absorbed into MI6, that is Special Operations Executive (SOE), integrated with MI6. The Cold War period also saw the US Central Intelligence Agency form close working relationships. While MI5 attempted to keep the Soviet Union off balance in its spying attempts, many other threats emerged, including the Irish Republication Army during the Troubles and industrial espionage by states. For the most part, Britain had relatively greater success than the United States in the Cold War in preventing important secrets from being discovered.<ref>For more on Cold War espionage, see: Trahair, R.C.S. & Miller, R.L. (2012)<i> Encyclopedia of Cold War espionage, spies, and secret operations</i>. New York, Enigma.</ref> ====Conclusion====Modern espionage in England and eventually the United Kingdom has its roots in 16th century Tutor England during a period of great conflict between Catholic and Protestant states. This period produced many plots and internal and external threats that led to the development of the first organized spy networks. These networks increased in their effectiveness in the 17th century as espionage became more professionalized. However, it was the reforms that led to the creation of MI5 and MI6 that has given us modern British espionage. The structure created in the early 20th century has largely stayed in tact, although modifications continue to be made today. ====References====<references/> [[Category:Wikis]] [[Category:Political History]] [[Category:Military History]] [[Category:British History]] {{Contributors}}
