The Rosenberg Trial

In addition to speculation over Ethel’s innocence, the trial itself drew much criticism. Considering the political atmosphere at the time, many claimed that it was impossible to obtain an unbiased and impartial jury. The many legal blunders made by the defense lawyer Emanuel Bloch added to the controversy surrounding the trial as well as the role of the assistant United States attorney Roy Cohn. Cohn would later claim in his autobiography that he influenced the choice of Kaufman as the judge presiding over the trial and personally suggested to the judge that he sentence the two to death.

The sentence of death in it of itself drew much controversy, as many considered it too harsh, considering the fact that if the Rosenbergs did indeed provide information to the Soviets, it really was not very crucial. As Dr. Alice Hamilton would later write, “Look at the contrast between the English treatment of Klaus Fuchs and our treatment of the Rosenbergs. Fuchs is a scientist, he gave valuable atomic secrets to the Russians, he confessed, and Fuchs acted during the war, the Rosenbergs during peace.” Klaus Fuchs, A German-English scientist who also worked on the Manhattan Project, provided much more significant information to Soviet, spied for the Soviet Union for a longer period of time, and confessed to his actions. He however, was only sentenced to 14 years of prison in the United Kingdom as opposed to death. The harsh sentence by the judge is still a source of much controversy today, as is the overall trial itself.

Over time, the public sentiment regarding the Rosenbergs has changed dramatically. Originally viewed as traitors to America, today, the Rosenbergs are seen as victims of McCarthyism and the anti-communist sentiment at the time period. The harsh sentence enacted on them and their questionable degree of guilt furthers the controversy. Many would argue that the information they provided to the Soviet Union, assuming they did provide information, was not very significant and certainly was not enough to construct an atomic bomb out of. Many would further argue that the jury was biased to begin with, making a fair trial practically impossible. Regardless of whatever reasons, the Rosenbergs have aroused much sympathy and their trial serves as a famous example where justice was not served.