Mata Hari, a professional exotic dancer, and courtesan who spied for France in WW1 (640×961)

    by alecdnnrs

    5 Comments

    1. She was accused of spying for Germany, not France. And it’s debatable as to whether she actually did it at all.

    2. ***Margaretha Zelle was born 150 years ago in 2026 in a town called Leeuwarden (The Netherlands). You can visit that house as it is open to public. There are several Mata Hari locations to visit aswell as a prison from which a daring escape took place during WW2.***

    3. Mata Hari was not the master spy she is often made out to be. Evidence shows she accepted money from Germany and was given a code name (H21), but there is little proof she passed on useful intelligence. Later, the French also tried to use her, so she likely operated as a low level or ineffective double agent.
      She was executed by France in 1917 during World War I, at a time when the country was under pressure and looking for someone to blame. Modern historians generally agree her role was exaggerated, and she was more a convenient scapegoat than a serious threat

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