The Rosenergs were convicted of passing secrets to the Soviet Union and sentenced to death, but controversy surrounded the case. Students examine primary documents from the case to decide whether to grant executive clemency to the Rosenbergs.
The conviction and execution of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg for espionage during the Cold War remains one of the most controversial legal cases in American history. Accused of passing atomic secrets to the Soviet Union, the Rosenbergs were sentenced to death in 1953. In this program, students will critically examine primary sources related to the case, including court documents, testimonies, and government files, to explore the complex political and ethical questions it raised. As they engage with these materials, students will debate whether the Rosenbergs should have been granted executive clemency, ultimately weighing the evidence and considering the broader implications of national security, justice, and civil rights during the Red Scare.
Program Length:
80
Grade Levels:
Program Group:
Presidential Decisions
