Troops Disperse Bonus Army Protesters
July 29th, 1932
July 29th, 1932
How Long Ago?
92 years, 7 months, 15 days ago
Location
Washington, D.C., United States
Category
Politics & Government
War/Conflict
World War I
People
- Douglas MacArthur
- Herbert Hoover
Links & References
Tags
Troops Disperse Bonus Army Protesters
In Washington, D.C., U.S. Army troops violently dispersed the Bonus Army, a group of World War I veterans demanding early payment of their service bonuses. Using tanks, tear gas, and other forceful measures, the government aimed to clear the veterans who had gathered in the capital. The dispersal marked a significant confrontation between the military and protesting citizens, illustrating the tensions during the Great Depression and the government’s response to civil unrest.
Bonus Army sought early payments for service bonuses.
General MacArthur led military force against protesters.
Violent dispersal involved tanks and tear gas.
Event highlighted veterans' struggles in the Great Depression.
What Happened?
The Bonus Army was a group of approximately 43,000 demonstrators, including around 17,000 World War I veterans, who assembled in Washington, D.C., in the spring of 1932. They sought immediate cash payment of bonuses promised to them by the government in 1924 for their service in the war. The economic hardships of the Great Depression had pushed these veterans to demand action, leading to the establishment of camps in the capital. After several months of protesting, the situation escalated, and tensions between the Bonus Army and law enforcement grew. On July 28, 1932, President Herbert Hoover ordered the U.S. Army to remove the demonstrators from their encampments. Led by General Douglas MacArthur, troops descended on the Bonus Army's main encampment near the Anacostia River. Soldiers wielded bayonets and sabers while using tanks to intimidate the veterans. Tear gas was deployed to forcefully clear out those remaining, resulting in injuries and chaos. The eviction turned violent, with reports of injuries among both veterans and soldiers as structures were set ablaze, pushing many veterans away from the capital. This confrontation was heavily publicized, shaping public perception of both the veterans and the federal government’s response to their plight.
Why Does it Matter?
The violent confrontation between the Bonus Army and the U.S. military underscored the desperation of many Americans during the Great Depression. It illuminated the government's challenging position in managing civil unrest during a time of economic turmoil. Moreover, the event shifted public sentiment toward the government and its leaders, fostering discontent that contributed to changes in policy and eventually to the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt, whose New Deal aimed to address such economic hardships. The incident remains a powerful example of the struggles faced by veterans and the lengths they would go to seek what they believed they were owed.
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