1. Spies, Lies and the Red Scare
Home Front Fears
Spies, Lies and the Red Scare

2. Spies?!!! Alger Hiss Ethel and Julius Rosenberg 18 months later…
Helped establish U.N. for U.S.
Accused of being spy for Soviets in 1948 – found guilty (10 years)
Ethel and Julius Rosenberg
Convicted of giving plans of Atomic Bomb to Soviets
Executed for espionage in 1953
18 months later…
Soviets EXPLODE THE ATOMIC BOMB
5 years before we expected!

3. Truman Responds… 1/31/50 – Approves H-bomb testing
67x impact of Hiroshima bomb
1952 results, 10x more than expected
Soviets explode their version 6 months after us…
No one has nuclear weapon advantage

4. Fear at Home (McCarthyism)
Joseph McCarthy:
Wisconsin Senator - Low Profile until 1950
Had a list of “Communist Party Members working in the State Department, Executive Office and beyond”
Created a “State of Fear and Distrust”
Reached his popularity in 1954
Many people began doubting his intentions and wanted proof. Never truly supplied it.
Attacked the Army – never recovered.