Edited by Gerald Boerner
Commentary:
Following the end of World War II, attention was focused on the Nuremburg War Crime Trials and the rebuilding of Europe. The clouds of the Cold War fell upon Eastern Europe with the establishment of the so-called “Iron Curtain.” In this country, this was associated with the search for communist spies embedded in the governmental bureaucracy; this created a fear of espionage by these spies forwarding our defense plans to our Cold War opponents, the U.S.S.R.
Within Congress, two separate investigative bodies emerged to study espionage within the Executive Branch. The Senate established the Senate Committee on Government Operations under the leadership of Joseph McCarthy, His vigorous search for communists was branded “McCarthyism”. In the House, on the other hand, the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) which was much less over-zealous. HUAC would continue into the 1960s.
Alger Hiss was a featured case that was held out as an example of a spy within the State Department. The investigation lasted so long that the Statute of Limitations had run out and Hiss was finally convicted on perjury charges. After he served his sentence in prison, evidence was found defining possible governmental misconduct in the case.
We look back at this period with mixed feelings. Yes, there were probably spies within the government that reported to Soviet handlers. But our CIA also had spies embedded in the Soviet bureaucracy!
The exploration is again afoot; let’s proceed with our adventure… GLB
These Introductory Comments are copyrighted:
Copyright©2011 — Gerald Boerner — All Rights Reserved[ 3995 Words ]
Quotations Related to ESPIONAGE:
“McCarthyism is Americanism with its sleeves rolled.”
— Joseph R. McCarthy
“I’m sort of fascinated by the whole espionage crime thing.”
— Aaron Eckhart
“I am amazed; until the day I die I shall wonder how Whittaker Chambers got into my house to use my typewriter.”
— Alger Hiss