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23 Massive Betrayals In Human History That People Still Talk About Today
Loyalty and betrayal are tales as old as time. Ancient and modern history is littered with stories of treachery and deceit. And you could argue that they’re fundamental parts of what it means to be a human being. It’s likely that you’ve felt the sting of someone’s deception, just like your ancestors.
In an enlightening online thread, people shed some light on the biggest betrayals in all of human history that continue to echo to this day. We’ve collected their top educational posts to show you the past from a different perspective.
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#1
Native Americans being hospitable to pilgrims and then eventually pilgrims and their descendants massacring Native Americans and stealing their land.
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#2
The tuskegee syphilis study is one of the worst betrayals imo.
from 1932 to 1972, the u.s. public health service told a group of poor black men they were getting free treatment for “bad blood.” they weren’t. they had syphilis, and the whole point was to watch what happened if it went untreated.
penicillin became a cure in the 40s. they still didn’t treat them. they even stopped some of them from getting it elsewhere.
these men trusted doctors and the government, kept showing up thinking they were being helped, while they were literally being studied as they got sicker.
went on for 40 years. only stopped bc it got exposed.
Aside from the direct consequences of deceit, the negative events that have happened to you can have a lasting impact on your mental and emotional health. Someone whose trust or well-being has been affected by people or institutions can develop betrayal trauma, Verywell Mind stresses.
Someone who suffers from betrayal trauma can develop symptoms like depression, dissociation, emotional dysregulation, difficulty concentrating, and trust and relationship issues.
In some cases, they might even experience physical pain or gastrointestinal issues. They’re also more likely to have issues with eating disorders and substance misuse.
#4
Gonna put one in for Vidkun Quisling, who handed all of Norway's defense plans over to the Germans in WW2 in exchange for being made governor of the territory.
#5
Nestle lying to breastfeeding African mothers that formula is better, once they couldn’t get access to said formula, their babies starved. Thousands and thousands of children passed in the aftermath of this.
#6
How has no one said when Colonel Henry Bouquet and General Jeffrey Amherst handed over blankets infected with small pox to exterminate natives. This is the worst type of betrayal.
Betrayal trauma can occur in practically any relationship, for example, with your parents, friends, coworkers, romantic partners, etc.
You can also experience what’s known as institutional betrayal. In this case, the institution that you trust fails to either prevent or appropriately respond to wrongdoings by other people.
Healing and moving on from betrayal can be a difficult, time-intensive process that might require a mental health specialist’s support.
#7
I would say it's the story of "Laika/Лáйка" the world's first space dog.
Astronauts know their job, their mission, and the risks that may lie behind it, but Laika was basically put into a space shuttle and sent into space to wait alone for her end, just to prove that the Soviet Union was superior to the United States.
#8
Alan Turing. Genius who helped crack The Enigma Code. Treated poorly for the rest of his life.
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 2 hours ago
He was a homosexual during a time when homosexuality was illegal in the UK.
#9
Russia telling Ukraine to hand over all their atomic bombs to Russia in exchange to never attack Ukraine.
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 2 hours ago
Do not worry, should Russia ever invade Ukraine then President Trump will end the conflict in just one day!
In a nutshell, healing from betrayal begins with acknowledging that it has happened. You have to be honest with yourself about what happened and how it has impacted you.
“Confronting the trauma you experienced in the past can bring up a lot of emotions, including grief, fear, anger, regret, loss, and anxiety. It’s important to process these emotions so you can start healing,” Verywell Mind advises.
It’s important that you don’t isolate yourself after being betrayed. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help, whether from a friend or a therapist.
Later, begin to set stronger boundaries with the people who have broken your trust. That way, you’ll be in a better place to protect yourself. What’s more, it’s vital that you recognize negative patterns of behavior.
“If you have experienced betrayal trauma in the past, it’s important to recognize whether it’s affecting your relationships in the present. Understand that you deserve to have relationships that are mutually supportive and beneficial.”
#10
The betrayal of Anne Frank’s hiding place is one of the most heartbreaking in modern history.
#11
I’d say the US government putting their own Japanese citizens in camps during WW2. What did that accomplish?
#12
The insulin patent being sold for $1 so it would be accessible and today greedy pharmaceutical companies charge hundreds.
After you’ve gone through this list, if you feel like sharing your insights and experiences, we’d like to hear from you in the comments.
What do you see as the biggest betrayal in all of history?
What is the worst betrayal that you’ve experienced at work or in your personal life? Have any companies ever tricked you? How did you deal with it, heal from it, and move on?
#13
Internal documents and investigative reporting revealed that Exxon's own scientists conducted sophisticated climate research as far back as the late 1970s and 1980s, producing findings that accurately predicted global warming from fossil fuel emissions.
Rather than making this research public, Exxon pivoted in the 1990s to funding climate denial campaigns, lobbying against climate regulations, and publicly casting doubt on the scientific consensus, even while internally acknowledging the risks their own research had identified.
#14
Mir Jafar at the battle of Plassey(1757)
It was the Nawab of Bengal vs the East India Company.The nawab heavily outnumbered the EIC forces,but his general Jafar betrayed him and many of the nawab's forces switched sides.
This led to the first ever EIC victory on Indian soil.They got Bengal and thus it started the domino effect that led to the colonialisation of India.
#15
"We should give tax breaks for the rich and help them get more money, its totally gonna trickle down to everyone else like, trust me bro"
~Reagan or something, idk.
MeowZedong 1 hour ago
I disagree with John Hinckley's reason for shooting Ronald Reagan. There are so many better ones.
#16
Henrietta Lacks. The way the doctors betrayed her and her family. Her cancer cells created the "HeLa" line and helped medical research. She never gave consent. Only recently was her family acknowledged or compensated. She passed away in 1951.
#17
Benedict Arnold. If you grew up in the US, his name is synonymous with traitor. He was a general under George Washington during the war for independence, then defected to the British army and led several campaigns against the colonies. Calling someone a "Benedict Arnold" is still an expression people use nowadays.
#18
-What humanity did to Tesla
-Ethiopian PM started a civil war right after winning a noble prize.
#19
“Kai su, Teknon?”
Or translating from Greek:
“And you,my child?”
Aka the more actuate last words of Julius Caesar. Shakespeare made up “et tu, Brute”. I had a history professor who explained that Caesar was basically saying “You’re next, kiddo.” And he was right. The Roman people turned against them hard.
Another possible last words were “Why, this is violence!” Or “What is this? Such violence against Caesar!”
Basically, if the historian liked Caesar, Caesar didn’t say anything while he was stabbed because he was a tough cool Roman. If the historian hated Caesar, Caesar was a total drama queen and gave a whole speech.
#20
When Russians promised help to Poland then waited on the other side of the river until polish and Germans finished each other to then step in and pretend they are „coming
To the rescue”.
#21
The US government using war as an excuse suspend due process and civil liberties of citizens. I’m looking g at you Bush, Lincoln, and FDR!
#22
Judas Iscariot. Was with Jesus three years before betraying him to the Pharisees, who took him to Pontius Pilot.
MeowZedong 1 hour ago
I think it was worse when Lando Calrissian handed Han Solo over to Darth Vader.
#23
During WW2 polish citizents risks their life to save jewish people. When war was over lot of jews get into russian army called NKWD and persecute polish people.
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