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What Is The Red Scare Of The 1950s

2979 Words12 Pages

Hunter Austin
Dr. Wilkey

The Red Scare of the 1950s was a period of intense political and social tension in the United States, characterized by a fear of communist infiltration and influence. Many factors contributed to this atmosphere of fear and suspicion; The rise of communism in the Soviet Union, led by Joseph Stalin, played a significant role. The Soviet Union's aggressive expansion in Eastern Europe and the establishment of communist governments in multiple countries heightened concerns about the spread of communism. Additionally, the Korean War, which began in 1950, further strengthened fears of communist aggression and the potential for a global conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union. The perceived threat of communist …show more content…

The nation was taken over by paranoia, driven by the escalating tensions of the Cold War and the belief that communist sympathizers were infiltrating American society. This atmosphere of fear led to the aggressive search for alleged communist spies, and the Rosenbergs became one of the most prominent targets. The Rosenberg trial became a highly politicized event, serving as a means for the government to grow public anxiety and further its anti-communist agenda. The prosecution relied heavily on the testimony of David Greenglass, a key witness whose credibility has since been called into question. It is now known that Greenglass perjured himself during the trial, and the prosecution's use of his coerced and unreliable testimony raises doubts about the fairness of the trial. Furthermore, the defense team faced obstacles in presenting evidence and witnesses, and the government's use of secret evidence denied the couple the ability to defend themselves adequately. While it is important to acknowledge that the Rosenbergs may have been involved in espionage, their trial was undoubtedly influenced by the desire to make an example of them and instill fear in the American public. The execution of the Rosenbergs sent a clear message about the consequences of associating with

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The Rosenberg’s were suspected of selling nuclear secrets to the Soviet Union, and because of those suspicions they became the first American civilians to be executed on charges of espionage during peacetime. Ethel and Julius Rosenberg maintained their innocence until the day they died. After many years, Greenglass confessed that he lied to the grand jury because the prosecution pressured him to do so. Greenglass was later charged with perjury and served 15 years in prison. Moreover, a Columbia Law Review published in 1954 concluded that the accusations themselves would “induce the jury more readily to return a verdict

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