Regardless of whether it is regicide, whistleblowing or shouts of “traitors” from unconventional thinkers: the accusation of treason has been politically explosive since ancient times – and is accordingly often exploited. While in the past there were often power struggles behind individual or religious conflicts, betrayal has been increasingly linked to conspiracy theories since the 16th century, as one historian has established. This trend continued into National Socialism and the autocratic regimes of the present.
Treason is not an invention of modern times and this form of breach of trust has also played an important role in political events since ancient times. “High treason is the ultimate political crime in all epochs and countries and is punished with draconian punishment,” says historian André Johannes Krischer from the University of Münster. “Measured against this, the phenomenon has been astonishingly little researched.” In order to change this, historians will exchange ideas on this topic in an international online conference on September 23 and 24.
Krischer has explored the most important aspects and milestones in the history of betrayal. “Treason is manifold: The Judas kiss, which leads to the crucifixion of Jesus, is considered a betrayal necessary for salvation. High treason, such as regicide, ushers in a violent overthrow. Whistleblowing, on the other hand, is seen by many as good betrayal in the sense of enlightenment, ”explains the historian. In the end, betrayal is always about a breach of trust and loyalty, but the connotations were slightly different depending on the time.
Criminal offense and biblical treason
In Greco-Roman antiquity, treason was already a category of criminal law. And even then this was used to discredit political rivals or to get them out of the way. “It served as a reason to eliminate the political opponent. Because the traitor is considered to be someone who is entitled to any means to achieve his goal, ”explains Krischer. In the Middle Ages, a religious connection was added: The story told in the Bible of the betrayal of the apostle Judas to Jesus through his Judas kiss was considered original treason and legitimation to also prosecute and punish the betrayal of the supposedly correct faith.
“Theologically, it is a betrayal that is necessary for salvation: the crucifixion only enables the resurrection and thus the history of salvation,” says Krischer. Historically, however, Judas was often used as an evil traitor par excellence – even in religious conflicts: The murderers of the French kings, Henry III. in 1589 and Henry VI. In 1610 the rulers proposed too lax action against the Protestants and thus betrayal of the Catholic faith. This was their legitimation for the deeds. But later the murderers themselves were executed as traitors. “This is an example of the fact that charges of treason can be raised on both sides in the same matter,” said Krischer.
Link to conspiracy theories
In the sixteenth century, charges of political treason were increasingly associated with conspiracy theories. Traitors were usually no longer viewed as lone perpetrators, but quickly came under suspicion of being the executor of a sinister plot. “Traitors act in the semi-darkness and pursue a secret plan with the help of powerful supporters,” says Krischer, explaining the way of thinking at the time. “This encouraged conspiracy theories, which led to the execution of innocent people.” During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, for example, suspicion of treason was enough to have the accused executed.
It is precisely this connection between allegations of treason and conspiracy theories that continues to this day: “We often associate betrayal with ruling regimes of the past, but it continues to have an impact today: in totalitarian regimes, for example, allegations of treason led to mass judicial murders,” explains Krischer. “Under National Socialism and Stalinism, treason charges as a judicial instrument led to mass executions. Treason was now directed not only against individual rulers, but against an overarching concept such as nation or people. “
Such accusations of treason were still used by autocratic regimes to justify charges and convictions of regime critics. “They are mostly directed against civil society actors such as critical journalists. In Russia, since 2011 under President Putin, treason lawsuits have increased fivefold, ”reports the historian. But “betrayal” has now also become a political battlefield in democracies. “Allegations of treason are emerging in the context of conspiracy theories. People are rushed on social media. That can incite violence and, as we now know, actually become dangerous for those affected. “
Allegations of treason in populism
But the reverse can also be used to politically instrumentalize the accusation of treason: for example, right-wing radical groups, Pegida supporters or lateral thinkers defame the rulers as “traitors” and thus tie in with the National Socialist jargon. “Populists claim precise knowledge of a homogeneous popular will. Anyone who contradicts, therefore, does not belong to the people and betrays their concerns. In this way, refugee policy becomes a betrayal of the local population, ”explains the scientist. The allegation that the government betrayed western values when the Bundeswehr withdrew from Afghanistan is more likely to come from the middle-class. “Here, too, the moral component of the charge of treason is evident.”
But there are also cases in which the betrayal denounced by one side is seen by the other as positive and even morally imperative. An example of this is the Wikileaks revelations by Julian Assange in 2010 and other cases of whistleblowers. While the institutions and organizations affected by the leaks see high treason in the publication of such documents, others advocate the disclosure of dubious actions: “Whistleblowers like Assange or Edward Snowden are often considered good traitors who, in the opinion of some, are not responsible for their investigative actions have to, ”says Krischer.
Source: Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster; Online conference “Treason: A conceptual and comparative history”