Episode 172: Kenneth Daigler, Patriots, Spies, and Traitors: American Intelligence in the Revolutionary War

by Liz CovartFebruary 6, 2018

Play episode

Intelligence gathering plays an important role in the foreign policies of many modern-day nation states, including the United States. Which raises the questions: How and when did the United States establish its foreign intelligence service?

To answer those questions we’ll need to journey back to the American Revolution.

Our guide Kenneth Daigler, an intelligence professional with 33 years experience managing human sources and collection and the author of Spies, Patriots, and Traitors: American Intelligence in the Revolutionary War, will facilitate our mental time travel and exploration of this topic.

About the Show

Ben Franklin’s World is a podcast about early American history.

It is a show for people who love history and for those who want to know more about the historical people and events that have impacted and shaped our present-day world.

Each episode features a conversation with a historian who helps us shed light on important people and events in early American history.

Ben Franklin’s World is a production of the Omohundro Institute.

Episode Summary

Kenneth Daigler facilitates our exploration of the origins of American spycraft. Ken is an intelligence professional with 33 years experience managing human sources and collection, and he’s the author of Spies, Patriots, and Traitors: American Intelligence in the Revolutionary War.

During our investigation, Ken reveals the basic concepts of intelligence gathering and the origins of the American foreign intelligence service; How revolutionary groups like the Sons of Liberty developed intelligence gathering capabilities; And, information about the intelligence gathering efforts of both the British and Continental Armies during the American War for Independence.

What You’ll Discover

Origins of the American foreign intelligence service
Intelligence collection and gathering during the 18th century
Basic concepts of intelligence collection
George Washington’s early experiences as a British intelligence gatherer
The Sons of Liberty
Samuel Adams
The importance of controlling the message
British Intelligence collection during the early stages of the Revolutionary War
American Intelligence collection during the early stages of the Revolutionary War
The Culper Spy Ring
Nathaniel Greene and intelligence gathering in the Southern Department
Consequences of gathering bad intelligence or misinformation
Benedict Arnold
Treatment of spies during the Revolutionary War
Nathan Hale

Links to People, Places, and Publications

Sponsor Links

Complementary Episodes

Time Warp Question

In your opinion, what might have happened if neither the British nor the Americans had had spies during the Revolutionary War? What would the absence of intelligence gathering have meant for the Revolution and its war?