The first major event in 1949 was the Soviet Atomic Bomb Test. This shocked the US because it didn't expect the Soviets to have this weapon this early on. This event led to many Americans scared for their own safety. As a response, the US started expanding its weapons.
Other events include the formation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) by the US. The Soviets responded by forming the Warsaw Pact to counter the threats posed by NATO.
The Bonus Army was comprised of veterans from World War 1 who were promised a bonus of around $1.25 for every day they served. When the depression hit, the veterans wanted congress to give them the bonus they had promised but congress denied them. They marched to protest and demand their bonus becasue they had nothing left and no where else to go.
