Question

Who was Alger Hiss and why was he such an intriguing and explosive target?

How were Hiss and his trial significant to the Cold War as well as the career of Richard Nixon?

Was Hiss guilty as charged and was Chambers a credible witness? (Defend your answer!)

Answer 1

Who was Alger Hiss and why was he such an intriguing and explosive target?

Alger Hiss was a State Department official who worked in different capacities in various departments in the US government including the advisor to the then President Roosevelt. He was charged with his dealings with Whittaker Chambers, who charged him with a possible connection with the Russian Communist Movements and acting as the Russian spy. Although he pleaded not guilty and there were not enough evidence, he was sent to jail for five years but spent three years there.

How were Hiss and his trial significant to the Cold War as well as the career of Richard Nixon?

Richard M. Nixon was the then US representative from California who was entrusted with the investigation. The conviction of Hiss at the end of the investigation helped him rise to US president in 1968 after becoming a Senator and Vice-president.

Was Hiss guilty as charged and was Chambers a credible witness? (Defend your answer!)
In my opinion, there were only circumstantial evidences and probably he was used as a tool for few people's political motivation. The Soviet Union's archival search during 1992 didn't reveal any connection and there is a controversy regarding the type writer used by Hiss and the documents produced into the court. The first trial didn't have a conclusion as it was a tie.