Julius and Ethel Rosenberg’s Execution

Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were American citizens convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage for the Soviet Union, specifically relating to passing information about the atomic bomb. Their trial and execution took place during the early years of the Cold War when anti-communist sentiment was high in the United States.

• Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were arrested in 1950, and their trial began on March 6, 1951. The prosecution’s case relied heavily on the testimony of Ethel’s brother, David Greenglass, who had worked as a machinist at the Los Alamos National Laboratory during the development of the atomic bomb. Greenglass testified that Julius had recruited him to pass information to the Soviet Union and that Ethel had typed up the notes. On March 29, 1951, the Rosenbergs were convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage, and on April 5, they were sentenced to death.
• They were executed on June 19, 1953.
• The Rosenbergs were the first American civilians executed for espionage during peacetime.
• Their two sons, Michael and Robert Meeropol were orphaned after their parents’ execution and were later adopted by Abel and Anne Meeropol.
• Abel Meeropol, their adoptive father, composed the anti-lynching song “Strange Fruit,” famously performed by Billie Holiday.

Effects on Pop Culture: The trial and execution of the Rosenbergs became a symbol of anti-communist fervor in the United States during the 1950s. Their case has been depicted in various books, plays, and films, including:

• E.L. Doctorow’s novel “The Book of Daniel” (1971), is a fictional account of the lives of Rosenberg’s sons.
• The play “Angels in America” (1991) by Tony Kushner references the Rosenberg case and features Ethel’s ghost as a character.
• The film “Daniel” (1983) was directed by Sidney Lumet and based on Doctorow’s novel.

Prominent People and Countries Involved:

• David Greenglass: Ethel’s brother, whose testimony was crucial in the conviction of the Rosenbergs. He later admitted to lying about some aspects of his testimony, particularly regarding Ethel’s involvement, to protect his wife, Ruth Greenglass.
• Roy Cohn: A young prosecutor on the Rosenberg case who later became a prominent lawyer and political figure, eventually serving as an advisor to Senator Joseph McCarthy during the “Red Scare” period.
• The United States: The Rosenberg trial and execution took place during the early years of the Cold War, and their case symbolized anti-communist sentiment in the country.
• The Soviet Union: While the Rosenbergs were accused of passing information to the Soviet Union, the extent of the information they provided and its impact on the development of the Soviet atomic bomb program remains a subject of debate among historians.

The execution of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg marked a significant moment in Cold War history. It served as a symbol of the anti-communist sentiment that gripped the United States during the 1950s. The trial and its aftermath have had a lasting impact on popular culture, with various works of fiction and non-fiction exploring the consequences of the case and the broader context of the Cold War.