Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online

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Espionage
(1,334 words)

1. Concept

Espionage, the reconnoitring and ascertainment of the position or knowledge of other people, groups, and/or states, was carried out in times of peace and war in the early modern period. It was a tool of information for the developing state intelligence services and for the military study of the enemy. Specialist knowledge (occupational intelligence) was also pursued in addition to political and military information (field intelligence).

Zedler's lexicon defines…

Cite this page
Anklam, Ewa, “Espionage”, in: Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online, Editors of the English edition: Graeme Dunphy, Andrew Gow. Original German Edition: Enzyklopädie der Neuzeit. Im Auftrag des Kulturwissenschaftlichen Instituts (Essen) und in Verbindung mit den Fachherausgebern herausgegeben von Friedrich Jaeger. Copyright © J.B. Metzlersche Verlagsbuchhandlung und Carl Ernst Poeschel Verlag GmbH 2005–2012. Consulted online on 19 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2352-0272_emho_COM_027801>
First published online: 2015
First print edition: 20180126



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