Which late U.S. Senator is associated with the anti-communist movements of the early 1950s?

The association of Joseph McCarthy with the anti-communist movements of the early 1950s stems from his prominent role in the Red Scare, specifically during a period characterized by heightened fears of communist infiltration in the United States. McCarthy, as a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, became the face of this movement, using public hearings to accuse individuals in government, entertainment, and other sectors of being communists or communist sympathizers. His aggressive tactics and the culture of fear he fostered had significant impacts on American society and politics, leading to the term "McCarthyism" being used to describe the era of such intense anti-communist suspicion and the resultant political persecution. His actions contributed to a climate where many were unjustly targeted and their careers ruined based on often flimsy or fabricated evidence. This phenomenon defined a significant chapter in U.S. history during the Cold War, making McCarthy a pivotal figure in this context.