Lesson Plan
Curated OER

National Security; The Rosenbergs, Espionage

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research the history of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg as a lens through which to consider that cases involving a breach of national security tend to be very complicated. They reflect that problems with national security have...
Handout
University of Missouri

Famous Trials: Famous Trials: Trial of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg

For Students 9th - 10th
Everything you need to know about the tTrial of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg. Included is a chronology of the events leading up to the trial, biographies for all of the trial participants, a complete transcript of the trial, plus much more.
Website
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

Gilder Lehrman Institute: History Now: Anti Communism in the 1950s

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] An essay tracing the anti-Communist hysteria beginning in earnest at the end of World War II that resulted in Truman's federal Loyalty Security program and ending with McCarthyism in the 1950s.
Primary
Michigan State University

Michigan State University: Msu Libraries: Digital Collections: Rosenberg Case

For Students 9th - 10th
Primary source documents related to the trial of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, who were charged with conspiracy to commit espionage for the Soviet Union, by passing on the secret of how to construct the atomic bomb. They were convicted and...
Handout
University of Missouri

Famous Trials: Testimony of Ethel Rosenberg, Witness for the Defense

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides the actual text of the testimony of Ethel Rosenberg in her trial.
Handout
Other

Jewish Women's Archive: Ethel Rosenberg

For Students 9th - 10th
A biographical account of the life of accused spies, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, who were convicted of espionage, sentenced, and executed in spite of intense public pressure in response to the widespread belief that they were innocent.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Portrait Gallery: Eye Contact: Ethel Rosenberg

For Students 9th - 10th
Listen to Wendy Wick Reaves, curator at the National Portrait Gallery, discuss this pencil drawing of convicted spy, Ethel Rosenberg, and what the drawing meant to the artist, Elizabeth Catlett.
Handout
The History Cat

The History Cat: Red Scare America

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes the events that took place during the McCarthy Era and actions of the House Un-American Activities Committee. Ordinary Americans feared being identified as a Communist sympathizer and libraries removed books from their shelves...
Handout
University of Missouri

Famous Trials: Testimony of Julius Rosenberg, Witness for the Defense

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides the actual text of the testimony of Julius Rosenberg.
Handout
University of Missouri

Famous Trials: Rosenberg Trial: Biographies of Trial Participants

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides biographies for the participants in the Rosenberg trial, including the defendants, the defense attorney, assorted spies, prosecuting attorneys, prosecution witnesses, the judge, the sons, and chroniclers.