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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>.
Espionage, domestically and abroad, continued to be controlled by a spymaster often in the service of the monarch, that is after the monarchy was restored after the death of Cromwell. Well after Thurloe, a central spymaster, often the Secretary of State, would control both domestic and foreign spy networks. After the threat of Catholic invasion subsided, spies began to be used more against the threats to the emerging British Empire. Namely, this was France before and during the Napoleonic wars. Throughout the 19th century, espionage continued to mostly use the structure developed in the 17th century. This meant there was increasingly high burden on a single figure in government responsible for domestic and foreign spies. As the British Empire expanded, so to did the needs of the British espionage services.<ref>For more on the development of spies particularly in the Napoleonic wars, see: Sparrow, E. (1999) <i>Secret service: British agents in France, 1792-1815</i>. Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK ; Rochester, NY, USA, Boydell Press.</ref> ==Later Development==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. During World War I, approximately 120 spies served Germany and were sent or assigned to Britain, of which 65 were caught and the remainder failed to send significant intelligence. This demonstrated that the new structure of dividing the external and internal spy agencies was a relatively workable model that made it easier for one head to focus on. By the end of World War I, the new threat and more significant threat was seen to be Communism and the rise of the Soviet Union.<ref>For more on the development of MI5 and MI6, see: Thomas, G. (2009) <i>Secret wars: one hundred years of British intelligence inside MI5 and MI6</i>. 1st ed. New York, Thomas Dunne Books.</ref>
==British Espionage Services==Conclusion====The increasing complexities of the 19th century and British entanglement Modern espionage 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) England and foreign intelligence (MI6) gathering. At this point, the emerging power of Germany became eventually the biggest foreign threat, while civil unrest over inequality and poor conditions meant that MI5 was also very active United Kingdom has its roots in thwarting rebellion. However, it was the events 16th century Tutor England during a period of World War I were both these services saw great expansion. Even before the war, there was much tension over the increasing naval arms race conflict between Britain Catholic and Germany that led to Protestant states. This period produced many accusations of espionage by Germany, with at least one case a true plot was, indeed, uncovered. During World War I, approximately 120 spies served Germany plots and were sent or assitgned to Britain, of which 65 were caught internal and the remainder failed external threats that led to send significant intelligence. This demonstrated that the new structure development of dividing the external and internal first organized spy agencies was a relatively workable modelnetworks. By These networks increased in their effectiveness in the end of World War I17th century as espionage became more professionalized. However, it was the new threat was seen reforms that led to be Communism and rise of the Soviet Union.<ref>For more on the development creation of MI5 and MI6, see: Thomas, G. (2009) <i>Secret wars: one hundred years of that has given us modern British intelligence inside MI5 and MI6</i>espionage. 1st ed. New YorkThe structure created in the early 20th century has largely stayed in tact, Thomas Dunne Booksalthough modifications continue to be made today.</ref>