In the early 1950's, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were the first U.S. citizens to be executed during peacetime for espionage, or spying  and Senator Joseph McCarthy was responsible for many character assassinations.

Directions: For more information on the Rosenbergs and Senator McCarthy, read "The Rosenbergs and McCarthy," pg. 269 from The 20th Century, Teacher Created Material., Inc.  After reading the article, answer the following questions:

1) Why did people install bomb shelters in their backyards in the early 1950's?

2) What was the Red Scare?

3) How did Senator McCarthy destroy the reputations of innocent people?
 

Vocabulary: Define and use the following words in a sentence:

• gravely
• treason
• subversion
• accusations
• espionage
• communism
• socialism

• Complete additional research on the Rosenberg trial.
• Was there enough evidence to convict the Rosenbergs and did the punishment fit the crime?