The following fact sheet and biography contains interesting information, history and facts on Alger Hiss for kids.Īlger Hiss Facts - 1: Alger Hiss (Novem– November 15, 1996) was a brilliant Harvard law student who went on to serve as a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes.Īlger Hiss Facts - 2: His career moved on and by the late 1930's he had become a key official in the United States Department of State during President Franklin D.
#ALGER HISS DEFINITION TRIAL#
What were the 'Pumpkin Papers'? The 'Pumpkin Papers' were a series of microfilm documents (35-mm microfilm) produced by Whitaker Chambers against Alger Hiss in the perjury trial in which Hiss was accused of lying about having passed State Department papers to Chambers. Why was Alger Hiss famous? Alger Hiss was famous because of the high profile and publicity his case attracted with its dramatic elements, compelling characters, accusations of espionage and treason and so many ambiguities and inconsistencies to leave the issue of the guilt or innocence of Alger Hiss in doubt for decades. State Department official who was accused of being a Soviet spy in 1948 and convicted of perjury in 1950 concerning his dealings with Whitaker Chambers, who accused him of membership in a communist spy ring. One of the important events during his presidency were the trials of Alger Hiss.įast, fun facts and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) about Alge r Hiss. Harry Truman was the 33rd American President who served in office from Apto January 20, 1953. The case attracted massive publicity and launched the career of Richard Nixon as a tough anti-communist, brought the HUAC into prominence and led to the rise of Senator Joseph McCarthy, McCarthyism and the communist witch hunts during the Red Scare during the Cold War. He was found guilty and sentenced to five years in prison. Richard Nixon, an HUAC committee member, conducted investigations in 1948 but due to the time limit of the Statute of Limitations Hiss was never tried as a soviet spy, instead he was charged with perjury. Alger Hiss was subsequently accused of acting as a soviet spy in 1938 and evidence was given in the form of microfilm documents referred to as the "Pumpkin Papers". He was accused by an ex-communist, writer and editor Whitaker Chambers, of being a communist before a highly public HUAC (House of Un-American Activities Committee) hearing.
Summary and Definition: Alger Hiss was a highly prominent member of the federal government who had attended the Yalta Conference and served as Secretary General at the meeting to discuss the formation of the United Nations (UN).
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