According to the text "Anti communism in the 1950s" by Wendy Wall, when did American fears of internal communist subversion reach a hysterical pitch

In the text "Anti-Communism in the 1950s" by Wendy Wall, American fears of internal communist subversion reached a hysterical pitch during the early to mid-1950s, particularly around the time of McCarthyism. This period was characterized by intense paranoia, accusations, and investigations into alleged communist activities within the government, entertainment industry, and various sectors of society. The atmosphere was marked by widespread concern about communist infiltration and the potential threat to American values and security.