Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were a married couple from New York who were convicted of conspiring to commit espionage in the 1950s. The evidence suggested that they had shared US atomic secrets with the Soviet Union during World War II.
At the height of the Cold War, the couple’s activities were seen as highly treacherous. Julius, an engineer, and Ethel, a secretary, were believed to have passed on sensitive nuclear weapons information, facilitating the Soviet Union in developing their own atomic bomb.
The consequence of their spying was extreme and ultimately fatal. They were both found guilty in 1951 and sentenced to death. The couple was executed in 1953, in what remains the only American execution for espionage during peacetime.
Key Takeaways
- Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were the only American couple to be executed for espionage during peacetime.
- They were convicted of sharing US atomic secrets with the Soviet Union during World War II.
- Their actions purportedly enabled the Soviet Union to develop its own atomic bomb.
Related Questions
1. Why were the Rosenbergs accused of espionage?
The Rosenbergs were accused of espionage because they were believed to have passed on top-secret information about the atomic bomb to the Soviet Union during World War II.
2. Did the Rosenbergs admit to spying?
No, the Rosenbergs maintained their innocence until the end. They claimed they were victims of a surge of anti-communist sentiment in the US.
3. How were the Rosenbergs caught?
The Rosenbergs were caught after a decrypted Soviet message named Julius Rosenberg and his wife Ethel as members of their spy network.
4. Who sentenced the Rosenbergs?
Judge Irving R. Kaufman sentenced the Rosenbergs to death, arguing they had betrayed their country and contributed to the Cold War tensions.
5. What was the public reaction to the Rosenberg case?
The public reaction to the Rosenberg case was mixed. Many believed the couple was guilty and deserved their sentence, but others thought they were victims of a political witch-hunt.