Final answer:
The individual likely became a target of anticommunist hysteria due to his supposed commitment to communism and leftist politics, which was considered a major threat by the U.S. during the Cold War.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individual in question likely became a target of anticommunist hysteria in the U.S. as the Cold War intensified due to various reasons. However, the correct answer is His commitment to communism and leftist politics. This commitment would have aligned him with ideologies that were feared and being targeted by the U.S. government during the late 1940s. The U.S. saw Communist ideologies as a direct threat to its capitalist and democratic way of life, leading to widespread fear and the persecution of those thought to hold these views. McCarthyism, a notable period during this time, involved aggressive investigations and the questioning of alleged communists in the U.S. This period also saw a decline in labor union activism and the enactment of loyalty oaths, as anti-Communist sentiments were at a peak. The broader context of the Cold War, including the arms race and the space race, further fueled this hysteria and drive to uncover and act against perceived Communist threats within the U.S.