Warfare History

Traitors of History: 14 Infamous Figures Who Turned on Their Country

Darren - June 15, 2025

Throughout history, acts of betrayal have gripped the public imagination, often altering the course of nations and wars. The stories of infamous traitors continue to spark debate and fascination, reminding us how the actions of a single individual can ripple through time. From ancient empires to modern states, treason has left marks of controversy and infamy, shaping legacies and reshaping borders. This article explores fifteen of history’s most notorious traitors, examining the motives, impact, and enduring legacy of those who turned against their own countries.

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1. Benedict Arnold

Perhaps the most notorious traitor in American history, Benedict Arnold was once a respected general in the Continental Army. Disillusioned by perceived slights and financial struggles, Arnold secretly negotiated with the British, plotting to surrender the key fort at West Point. His scheme was uncovered, forcing him to flee and join the British ranks. Arnold’s name has become a byword for treason in the United States, and his legacy remains one of enduring controversy.

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2. Vidkun Quisling

Vidkun Quisling’s name is now synonymous with betrayal. During World War II, he seized power in Norway by collaborating with Nazi Germany, establishing a puppet regime under Hitler’s control. Quisling’s actions led to immense suffering for his countrymen and cemented his infamy across the globe. After the war, he was tried and executed for treason. To this day, calling someone a “Quisling” is to label them a traitor of the highest order.

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3. Julius and Ethel Rosenberg

Julius and Ethel Rosenberg became the center of a Cold War espionage scandal when they were accused of passing atomic secrets to the Soviet Union. Their trial captivated the nation, stoking fears of communist infiltration and sparking heated debate over the evidence. Despite worldwide protests and doubts about their guilt, the Rosenbergs were executed in 1953. Their case remains one of the most controversial examples of alleged treason in American history, symbolizing the paranoia and tensions of the era.

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4. Mir Jafar

Mir Jafar’s name is forever linked to betrayal in Indian history. In 1757, as a commander in Bengal, he sided with the British East India Company during the Battle of Plassey. This act of treachery allowed the British to gain control over Bengal, paving the way for their rule across India. Mir Jafar’s legacy is tainted by his decision to prioritize personal ambition over his homeland’s freedom, making him a symbol of national infamy.

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5. Kim Philby

Kim Philby stands out as one of the most damaging spies in British history. As a high-ranking member of MI6, he secretly worked for the Soviet Union as part of the infamous Cambridge Five. For decades, Philby fed critical intelligence to the USSR, compromising countless Western operations and exposing agents. His betrayal came as a shock to his colleagues and allies, shaking trust within the intelligence community and leaving a legacy of deep suspicion.

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6. Wang Jingwei

Wang Jingwei remains one of China’s most controversial figures. Once a prominent nationalist leader, he shocked the nation by forming a collaborationist government with Imperial Japan during World War II. By cooperating with the occupiers, Wang hoped to achieve peace, but most Chinese viewed his actions as a profound betrayal of the resistance effort. His legacy is now defined by this pivotal decision, casting a long shadow over his earlier achievements.

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7. Aldrich Ames

Aldrich Ames, a longtime CIA officer, became one of the most damaging spies in American history. Motivated largely by financial gain, Ames passed critical secrets to the Soviet Union and later Russia for nearly a decade. His betrayal led to the exposure and execution of numerous U.S. agents, crippling American intelligence efforts. Ames’s actions caused major intelligence failures and sent shockwaves through the CIA, exposing vulnerabilities within the agency.

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8. Philippe Pétain

Once celebrated as a hero of World War I, Marshal Philippe Pétain’s legacy was forever tarnished by his leadership of Vichy France during World War II. Pétain oversaw a government that actively collaborated with Nazi Germany, including the deportation of Jews and suppression of resistance movements. After the war, he was arrested, tried for treason, and sentenced to death—a punishment later commuted to life imprisonment. Pétain’s dramatic fall from grace remains a sobering example of how wartime choices can redefine history.

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9. Robert Hanssen

Robert Hanssen, a senior FBI agent, secretly worked as a double agent for Russia for over twenty years. Driven by a mix of ideology and personal grievances, he provided the Soviets with highly classified information, exposing operations and agents and causing enormous damage to U.S. national security. His betrayal is considered one of the worst intelligence disasters in American history, leading to his arrest in 2001 and a life sentence in prison.

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10. Andrey Vlasov

Andrey Vlasov was a Soviet general who famously defected to Nazi Germany during World War II. Captured by the Germans, he went on to form and command the Russian Liberation Army, composed of Soviet POWs, to fight against his homeland. Vlasov justified his actions as opposition to Stalin’s regime, but most Russians viewed him as a traitor. After the war, he was captured by Soviet forces and executed for treason.

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11. Ephialtes of Trachis

Ephialtes of Trachis is remembered as the traitor who sealed the fate of the Spartans at the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BCE. Motivated by the promise of reward, he revealed a hidden mountain path to the invading Persian army, allowing them to outflank the Greek defenders. His act of betrayal led directly to the legendary last stand and defeat of Leonidas and his men. To this day, his name is synonymous with treachery in Greek history.

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12. Charles Edward Stuart’s Supporters (Jacobite Traitors)

During the 1745 Jacobite uprising in Britain, several Scottish nobles and clan leaders secretly betrayed Charles Edward Stuart—better known as “Bonnie Prince Charlie.” Some switched sides out of self-preservation or for personal gain, passing information to the government or withdrawing crucial support. These acts of treachery undermined the Jacobite cause and contributed to its ultimate defeat at Culloden. Their decisions left a lasting mark on Scottish history, their names invoked as examples of betrayal for personal advantage.

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13. Brutus (Marcus Junius Brutus)

Marcus Junius Brutus, once a close ally of Julius Caesar, became one of history’s most infamous traitors when he joined the conspiracy to assassinate Caesar in 44 BCE. Brutus justified his actions as a defense of the Roman Republic, but his betrayal shocked Rome and the world. The phrase “Et tu, Brute?” has come to symbolize the ultimate act of personal betrayal. Brutus’s legacy endures as a powerful reminder of the complexities and consequences of loyalty and treason.

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14. William Joyce (‘Lord Haw-Haw’)

William Joyce, infamously known as ‘Lord Haw-Haw‘, became the voice of Nazi propaganda during World War II. Through English-language radio broadcasts, Joyce sought to demoralize British listeners and spread misinformation on behalf of the Third Reich. After the war, he was captured, tried, and executed for treason—becoming one of the most notorious traitors in British history. His broadcasts and ultimate fate serve as a stark reminder of the power of words in wartime.

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