Why Is It Famous?
During the Cold War era, McCarthyism heightened Americans' fear of the Soviet Union and potential espionage by Soviet agents who were believed to be planted in U.S. government institutions. The Atom Spy Case only escalated fears, becoming a sensational case covered by American media outlets and newspapers. Because of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg's role in informing the Soviets of the development of the atomic bomb, the USSR could expedite their research and construction of atomic bombs. The urgency to convict the Rosenbergs resulted in a trial that only lasted twenty-three days. The Rosenberg trial generated international attention, as many suspected it would heighten Cold War tensions. Some people argued that the couple was being used as scapegoats to hysteria regarding communism. American government officials were furious that confidential information was being provided to Russia, our enemy at the time. On the other hand, U.S. scientists in the 1940s argued that the atomic bomb was not a secret because the world's scientists were already aware of it. However, the Rosenberg's legal counsel conducted the trial as if it was a secret, potentially having an impact on their conviction. Because of the fear of communism and dangers of atomic weapons, the famous Rosenberg case was propped up on the international stage.