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The Red Scare. Whittaker Chambers vs. Alger Hiss Allison Pereira. Whittaker Chambers.
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The Red Scare Whittaker Chambers vs. Alger Hiss Allison Pereira
Whittaker Chambers • In 1932, Chambers had been a part of the Soviet Intelligence Network in the United States, a former communist spy, but he left his job in 1938 because he was worried that he would be transferred to Moscow, Russia. • In 1939 he worked as the foreign editor of Times magazine. • Chambers had known Alger Hiss very well during the 1930’s and he knew a great deal about his life.
Alger Hiss • Hiss studied law. • He was a former State Department official, but was forced to resign from his position when speculation began of him being a communist or a spy. • Hiss did not seem to be a likely communist at first.
What Happened? • The FBI were interested in the knowledge of Chambers on the matter of foreign affairs with the Soviet Union. • They wanted him to disclose any information he possessed on their espionage, or spy system. • Chambers first testified that Hiss was a communist on August 3, 1948. • This accusation was considered McCarthyism, which is the act f making an accusation of disloyalty without evidence. • On November 4, 1948, Chambers added to his story and accused Alger Hiss of being a spy for the Soviet Union, as well, however this time he possessed evidence.
Evidence... • Chambers had microfilm of government papers that he claimed were typed on Hiss’s typewriter, as well as papers written in Hiss’s handwriting. • Hiss continued claiming his innocence and that Chambers faked the evidence.
The Verdict... • Too much time had passed, so Hiss could not be charged with espionage, however Hiss was convicted by the jury of perjury (lying in court to the jury). • He lied about passing the government documents. • He was sent to jail.
Confirmation... In 1991, when Russia fell, the United States went in to find any evidence on the case, which was debated over for about forty years. The National Security Agency found enough evidence to prove Hiss’s guilt, although they do not have a physical file to prove it.
Citations The Americans. https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/kent-csi/vol44no5/html/v44i5a01p.htm http://blog.acton.org/archives/60978-devils-distractions-whittaker-chambers-satan-age-reason.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alger_Hiss http://treesforlunch.blogspot.com/2011/12/despite-evidence-left-still-enamored.html