Who was accused of espionage in the Alger Hiss Affair?

The accusation of espionage in the Alger Hiss Affair centered around Alger Hiss himself, who was a state department official. The case became a prominent political issue in the late 1940s and early 1950s, amid Cold War fears of communism and espionage. Hiss was accused of being a Soviet spy and was ultimately convicted of perjury related to his denial of these allegations.

The specificity of Hiss being a state department official is significant because it highlights the fears surrounding communism infiltrating the U.S. government during that time. This affair, involving espionage accusations against a high-ranking government official, played a crucial role in the anti-communist sentiments of the era and contributed to the rise of individuals like Senator Joseph McCarthy who fueled the Red Scare.

The other choices do not correctly reflect the context of the Hiss Affair or the profile of those involved. This aligns with the historical narrative of Hiss's involvement in international diplomacy and his subsequent prosecution, making the identification of him as a state department official accurate and relevant.