Bonus Army Assembles for Cash Bonuses
May 29th, 1932
May 29th, 1932

How Long Ago?
92 years, 9 months, 15 days ago
Location
Washington, D.C., United States
Category
Politics & Government
War/Conflict
World War I
People
- General Douglas MacArthur
- Walter W. Waters
- President Herbert Hoover
Links & References
Tags
Bonus Army Assembles for Cash Bonuses
World War I veterans began gathering in Washington, D.C., to demand cash bonuses for their service. The Bonus Army, composed of thousands of veterans and their families, sought early payment of bonuses promised for 1945, driven by economic hardship during the Great Depression. The assembly symbolized their struggle for recognition and financial support from the government, which they believed had failed to honor its commitments.
Thousands of veterans gathered in the capital
Sought early payment of bonuses promised for 1945
Conflict led to a violent evacuation of camps
Influenced future veterans' benefits legislation
What Happened?
The Bonus Army was a group of World War I veterans who assembled in Washington, D.C., in 1932 to demand immediate cash payments of bonuses that had been promised to them by the government for their military service. The U.S. government had awarded these bonuses in 1924, but the payment was not scheduled until 1945. Amid the backdrop of the Great Depression, many veterans were struggling with unemployment and poverty, prompting them to seek urgent support from the federal government. When the veterans began to gather in the nation’s capital, they pitched tents and set up makeshift camps, with thousands demonstrating for their cause. Their presence gained national attention and sparked debates about veterans' rights and government responsibility.The assembly reflected the broader discontent during the economic crisis, and the veterans utilized peaceful marches and protests to voice their demands. Notable figures in the Bonus Army included Walter W. Waters, a former sergeant who became a leader of the movement, and several other veterans who sought to advocate for their peers. Their situation was made more contentious by the refusal of the government to meet their demands. Despite public sympathy, the Herbert Hoover administration viewed the Bonus Army as a threat to public order.The climax of the conflict came when President Hoover ordered the Army to forcibly remove veterans from their encampments. On July 28, the Bonus Army was cleared by General Douglas MacArthur and his troops, which led to violent clashes and significant media coverage of the events. This heavy-handed response ultimately turned public opinion against Hoover and had lasting implications for the treatment of veterans and government policies regarding military service members in crisis.
Why Does it Matter?
The Bonus Army's assembly in Washington, D.C., highlighted the struggles of veterans during the Great Depression and was pivotal in shaping public opinion about governmental responsibility toward those who served in the military. It prompted a national conversation about veterans' benefits, which would later influence legislation, including the G.I. Bill established after World War II. The conflict underscored tensions between citizens advocating for their rights and the government’s approach to veterans’ welfare.
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