1. The Crucible McCarthyism

2. From Witch Trials to McCartyism "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." George Santayana "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." George Santayana

3. Joseph McCarthy

4. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s America was overwhelmed with concerns about the threat of communism growing in Eastern Europe and China. Capitalizing on those concerns, a young Senator named Joseph McCarthy made a public accusation that more than two hundred “card-carrying” communists had infiltrated the United States government. Though eventually his accusations were proven to be untrue, and he was censured by the Senate for unbecoming conduct, his zealous campaigning ushered in one of the most repressive times in 20th-century American politics. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s America was overwhelmed with concerns about the threat of communism growing in Eastern Europe and China. Capitalizing on those concerns, a young Senator named Joseph McCarthy made a public accusation that more than two hundred “card-carrying” communists had infiltrated the United States government. Though eventually his accusations were proven to be untrue, and he was censured by the Senate for unbecoming conduct, his zealous campaigning ushered in one of the most repressive times in 20th-century American politics.

5. While the House Un-American Activities Committee had been formed in 1938 as an anti-Communist organ, McCarthy’s accusations heightened the political tensions of the times. Known as McCarthyism, the paranoid hunt for infiltrators was notoriously difficult on writers and entertainers, many of whom were labeled communist sympathizers and were unable to continue working. Some had their passports taken away, while others were jailed for refusing to give the names of other communists. The trials, which were well publicized, could often destroy a career with a single unsubstantiated accusation. Among those well-known artists accused of communist sympathies or called before the committee were Dashiell Hammett, Waldo Salt, Lillian Hellman, Lena Horne, Paul Robeson, Elia Kazan, Arthur Miller, Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, Charlie Chaplin and Group Theatre members Clifford Odets, Elia Kazan, and Stella Adler. In all, three hundred and twenty artists were blacklisted, and for many of them this meant the end of exceptional and promising careers. While the House Un-American Activities Committee had been formed in 1938 as an anti-Communist organ, McCarthy’s accusations heightened the political tensions of the times. Known as McCarthyism, the paranoid hunt for infiltrators was notoriously difficult on writers and entertainers, many of whom were labeled communist sympathizers and were unable to continue working. Some had their passports taken away, while others were jailed for refusing to give the names of other communists. The trials, which were well publicized, could often destroy a career with a single unsubstantiated accusation. Among those well-known artists accused of communist sympathies or called before the committee were Dashiell Hammett, Waldo Salt, Lillian Hellman, Lena Horne, Paul Robeson, Elia Kazan, Arthur Miller, Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, Charlie Chaplin and Group Theatre members Clifford Odets, Elia Kazan, and Stella Adler. In all, three hundred and twenty artists were blacklisted, and for many of them this meant the end of exceptional and promising careers. Dashiell HammettWaldo SaltLillian HellmanLena Horne Paul RobesonElia KazanArthur MillerAaron Copland Leonard BernsteinCharlie ChaplinGroup TheatreStella Adler Dashiell HammettWaldo SaltLillian HellmanLena Horne Paul RobesonElia KazanArthur MillerAaron Copland Leonard BernsteinCharlie ChaplinGroup TheatreStella Adler

6. j. Edgar Hoover

8. Comic

9. Jailing of the Hollywood Ten

10. Hollywood Ten

14. Famous picture of Ethel

15. Rosenberg Children

16. Ethel and Son

17. Julius and Ethel Rosenberg

18. Julius

19. Picasso

20. Letter "...One thing must be crystal clear and that is that our case if allowed to stand is a very great threat directed at the heart of the progressive movement and it is an integral part of the conspiracy to establish fear in our land... " Letter from Julius to Michael and Robert, October 23, 1952. "...One thing must be crystal clear and that is that our case if allowed to stand is a very great threat directed at the heart of the progressive movement and it is an integral part of the conspiracy to establish fear in our land... " Letter from Julius to Michael and Robert, October 23, 1952. McCarthyism in the 1950's reproduced the Salem Witch Trial McCarthyism in the 1950's reproduced the Salem Witch Trial

21. protestors

22. David Greenglass

23. The Kiss

24. Anti Rosenberg protestors

25. The adult boys

26. ETHEL TO MICHAEL AND ROBERT, JUNE 19, 1953 (the day of execution) Dearest Sweethearts, my most precious children, Only this morning it looked like we might be together again after all. Now that this cannot be, I want so much for you to know all that I have come to know. Unfortunately, I may write only a few simple words; the rest your own lives must teach you, even as mine taught me. At first, of course, you will grieve bitterly for us, but you will not grieve alone. That is our consolation and it must eventually be yours. Eventually, too you must come to believe that life is worth the living. Be comforted that even now, with the end of ours slowly approaching, that we know this with a conviction that defeats the executioner! Your lives must teach you, too, that good cannot flourish in the midst of evil; that freedom and all the things that go to make up a truly satisfying and worthwhile life, must sometime be purchased very dearly. Be comforted then that we were serene and understood with the deepest kind of understanding, that civilization had not as yet progressed to the point where life did not have to be lost for the sake of life; and that we were comforted in the sure knowledge that others would carry on after us. We wish we might have had the tremendous joy and gratification of living our lives out with you. Your Daddy who is with me in the last momentous hours, sends his heart and all the love that is in it for his dearest boys. Always remember that we were innocent and could not wrong our conscience. We press you close and kiss you with all our strength. Lovingly, Daddy and Mommy Julie Ethel P.S. to Manny: The Ten Commandments religious medal and chain ETHEL TO MICHAEL AND ROBERT, JUNE 19, 1953 (the day of execution) Dearest Sweethearts, my most precious children, Only this morning it looked like we might be together again after all. Now that this cannot be, I want so much for you to know all that I have come to know. Unfortunately, I may write only a few simple words; the rest your own lives must teach you, even as mine taught me. At first, of course, you will grieve bitterly for us, but you will not grieve alone. That is our consolation and it must eventually be yours. Eventually, too you must come to believe that life is worth the living. Be comforted that even now, with the end of ours slowly approaching, that we know this with a conviction that defeats the executioner! Your lives must teach you, too, that good cannot flourish in the midst of evil; that freedom and all the things that go to make up a truly satisfying and worthwhile life, must sometime be purchased very dearly. Be comforted then that we were serene and understood with the deepest kind of understanding, that civilization had not as yet progressed to the point where life did not have to be lost for the sake of life; and that we were comforted in the sure knowledge that others would carry on after us. We wish we might have had the tremendous joy and gratification of living our lives out with you. Your Daddy who is with me in the last momentous hours, sends his heart and all the love that is in it for his dearest boys. Always remember that we were innocent and could not wrong our conscience. We press you close and kiss you with all our strength. Lovingly, Daddy and Mommy Julie Ethel P.S. to Manny: The Ten Commandments religious medal and chain

29. Ethel "... We are witnessing the astounding spectacle of the most powerful nation on earth bound, helpless, powerless to reverse itself because it is always much easier to commit new errors, than to right old ones..." From Ethel Rosenberg's letter to Julius, January 19, 1952. "... We are witnessing the astounding spectacle of the most powerful nation on earth bound, helpless, powerless to reverse itself because it is always much easier to commit new errors, than to right old ones..." From Ethel Rosenberg's letter to Julius, January 19, 1952. FAQ's (Frequently Asked FAQ's (Frequently Asked

30. June 19, 1953 Sing Sing

31. " It is not amiss to point out that this Court has never reviewed this record and has never affirmed the fairness of the trial.Without an affirmance of the fairness of the trial by the highest court of the land, there may always be questions as to whether these executions were legally and rightfully carried out." Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black on June 19, 1953. target

32. Day of Execution

34. We have so much to look forward to and it is so important for our loved ones and all Americans that we win a decisive victory in our case." From a letter from Julius to Ethel, June 2, 1952

35. Rosenbergs' letter to President Truman, January 9, 1953. "We are innocent, as we have proclaimed from the time of our arrest. To forsake this truth is to pay too high a price even for the priceless gift of life-- for life thus purchased we could not live out in dignity and self-respect." "We are innocent, as we have proclaimed from the time of our arrest. To forsake this truth is to pay too high a price even for the priceless gift of life-- for life thus purchased we could not live out in dignity and self-respect."

36. "History will record... that we were victims of the most monstrous frame-up of our country....We die with honor and dignity - knowing we must be vindicated by history." Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, June 1953

37. "... whatever the outcome may be, to fight for a just cause is a victory in itself." letter from Julius to Ethel, January 22, 1953

38. "We move towards the ideals of decency only when a jury of American citizens... has the courage to judge guilt or innocence on the facts, not on race, religion or politics." From Barry Naftalis' closing arguments-Moot Court Trial, August, 1993 "We move towards the ideals of decency only when a jury of American citizens... has the courage to judge guilt or innocence on the facts, not on race, religion or politics." From Barry Naftalis' closing arguments-Moot Court Trial, August, 1993