The Bonus March was a protest by World War I veterans in Washington, D.C., in 1932. The veterans were demanding that the government pay them a bonus that had been promised to them when they enlisted. The government refused to pay the bonus, and the veterans camped out in Washington for several months. The protest ended when the government ordered the army to clear the veterans from the city.
The Bonus March was a major event in American history. It showed the growing frustration of the American people with the government's response to the Great Depression. The march also helped to lead to the creation of the Veterans Administration, which provides benefits to veterans.
Causes
The Bonus March was the result of a series of events that took place in the United States during the Great Depression. After World War I, the United States government had promised a bonus to veterans who had served in the war. However, the government did not have the money to pay the bonus, and the promise was not kept.
In 1932, a group of veterans, known as the Bonus Army, marched on Washington, D.C. to demand payment of the bonus. The marchers were angry and frustrated, and they were met with violence by the police and the military. The Bonus March was a major turning point in the Great Depression. It showed the extent of the economic crisis, and it led to the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt as president in 1932.
There were several factors that contributed to the Bonus March. One factor was the economic crisis that began in 1929. The Great Depression caused widespread unemployment and poverty, and many veterans were unable to find work. Another factor was the government's failure to keep its promise to pay the bonus. The veterans had been promised a bonus in 1924, but the government did not have the money to pay it.
The Bonus March was also influenced by the political climate of the time. The government was seen as unresponsive to the needs of the people, and many veterans felt that they had been treated unfairly. The Bonus March was a major event in American history, and it had a significant impact on the Great Depression.
Events Leading Up To The Bonus March
The Bonus March was a march on Washington, D.C., by unemployed World War I veterans in 1932. The veterans were demanding immediate payment of a bonus that had been promised to them by Congress in 1924.
The march was organized by the Bonus Expeditionary Force (BEF), a group of veterans who had been lobbying Congress for years to pass legislation to pay the bonus. The BEF was led by Walter Waters, a former Army sergeant who had been decorated for his heroism in World War I.
The marchers arrived in Washington, D.C., on May 29, 1932. They set up camp in Anacostia Flats, a park on the outskirts of the city. The marchers were initially peaceful, but tensions began to rise as they waited for Congress to act on their demands.
On July 28, 1932, the BEF clashed with police and Army troops in what became known as the Battle of Anacostia Flats. The battle resulted in the deaths of two veterans and one police officer. The marchers were eventually evicted from Anacostia Flats and forced to leave Washington, D.C.
The Bonus March was a major turning point in the Great Depression. It showed the extent of the economic crisis and the desperation of the American people. The march also led to a change in government policy towards the Great Depression. President Herbert Hoover had initially refused to provide direct relief to the unemployed, but after the Bonus March, he began to take steps to address the economic crisis.
The Bonus March is a reminder of the economic hardships that Americans faced during the Great Depression. It is also a reminder of the importance of providing assistance to those in need, especially during times of economic crisis.
What Was The Result Of The Bonus March?
The Bonus March was a protest by World War I veterans who demanded early payment of a bonus promised to them by Congress. The march took place in Washington, D.C., from May 29 to July 28, 1932.
Background
The Bonus March was a response to the economic crisis that followed the stock market crash of 1929. The Depression caused widespread unemployment and poverty, and many veterans were struggling to make ends meet. In 1931, Congress passed the Adjusted Compensation Act, which promised a bonus to veterans who had served in World War I. The bonus was to be paid in 1945, but many veterans needed the money immediately.
The March
On May 29, 1932, about 10,000 veterans left their homes and marched on Washington, D.C. They demanded that Congress pass legislation to pay the bonus immediately. The marchers camped out in Anacostia Park, just outside the city.
The marchers were met with hostility by the government. President Herbert Hoover ordered the army to disperse the marchers. On July 28, 1932, the army used tear gas and bayonets to drive the marchers out of Anacostia Park.
The Aftermath
The Bonus March was a disaster for the veterans. They were met with violence and hostility, and they failed to achieve their goal of early payment of the bonus. The march also damaged the reputation of President Hoover.
The Bonus March had a lasting impact on American history. It showed the desperation of the veterans and the failure of the government to meet their needs. The march also led to the creation of the Veterans Administration, which provides benefits to veterans.
Significance of the Bonus March
The Bonus March was a significant event in American history that had a profound impact on the nation. The march was a protest by World War I veterans who were demanding payment of a bonus that had been promised to them by the government. The march resulted in a violent confrontation with the U.S. Army, and it ultimately led to the passage of legislation that provided benefits for veterans.
The Bonus Army
The Bonus Army was composed of approximately 43,000 World War I veterans who had traveled to Washington, D.C., in the spring of 1932 to demand payment of a bonus that had been promised to them by the government. The bonus was supposed to be paid in 1945, but the government had decided to postpone payment until 1947. The veterans were outraged by this decision, and they felt that they had been cheated.
The March on Washington
The Bonus Army arrived in Washington, D.C., on May 29, 1932. The veterans set up camp in Anacostia Flats, a vacant area near the Capitol building. They were a peaceful group, and they hoped to convince Congress to pass a bill that would provide them with their bonus.
The Violence
On July 28, 1932, President Herbert Hoover ordered the U.S. Army to clear the Bonus Army out of Anacostia Flats. The Army used tear gas and bayonets to disperse the veterans. Two veterans were killed in the melee, and hundreds were injured.
The Aftermath
The Bonus March was a turning point in American history. It was the first time that the government had used force to suppress a peaceful protest. The march also led to the passage of legislation that provided benefits for veterans. The Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, also known as the GI Bill, provided veterans with education, housing, and unemployment benefits. The GI Bill helped to create a middle class in America and it is considered to be one of the most important pieces of legislation in American history.
Long Term Effects of the Bonus March
The Bonus March was a protest by World War I veterans who were demanding early payment of a bonus that had been promised to them. The march took place in Washington, D.C., in 1932, and it ended in violence when the veterans were attacked by the U.S. Army.
The Bonus March had a number of long-term effects, including:
- it led to the creation of the Veterans Administration,
- it helped to raise awareness of the plight of veterans,
- it contributed to the growing unrest in the United States during the Great Depression.
The Veterans Administration
The Veterans Administration was created in 1930 to provide benefits and services to veterans. The agency was originally called the Veterans Bureau, and it was renamed the Veterans Administration in 1935. The VA is responsible for providing a wide range of services to veterans, including healthcare, disability compensation, and education benefits.
Awareness of the Plight of Veterans
The Bonus March helped to raise awareness of the plight of veterans. Many veterans were struggling to find work and support themselves during the Great Depression. The march brought attention to the need for government assistance for veterans.
Unrest During the Great Depression
The Bonus March contributed to the growing unrest in the United States during the Great Depression. The march was a sign of the frustration and anger that many Americans were feeling at the time. The march also helped to mobilize veterans, who became a powerful political force.
The Bonus March was a significant event in American history. It had a number of long-term effects, including the creation of the Veterans Administration, the increased awareness of the plight of veterans, and the growing unrest during the Great Depression.
Conclusion
The Bonus March was a significant event in American history that brought attention to the plight of World War I veterans. It led to increased public awareness of the need for veterans' benefits and contributed to the passage of the Adjusted Compensation Act in 1936. The Bonus March also highlighted the growing tension between the government and the American people during the Great Depression.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Bonus March?
The Bonus March was a protest by World War I veterans who marched on Washington, D.C., in 1932 to demand early payment of a bonus that had been promised to them by Congress. The marchers were met with violence by the police and the military, and the protest ended with the deaths of several veterans.
What were the results of the Bonus March?
The Bonus March had a number of results. First, it led to the passage of the Adjusted Compensation Payment Act, which paid the veterans their bonus early. Second, it damaged the reputation of President Herbert Hoover, who was seen as being indifferent to the plight of the veterans. Third, it helped to radicalize some of the veterans who had participated in the march, and many of them later joined the Communist Party or other left-wing organizations.
Why was the Bonus March so significant?
The Bonus March was a significant event in American history for a number of reasons. First, it was a large-scale protest movement that brought thousands of veterans to Washington, D.C. Second, it led to a violent confrontation between the veterans and the police and the military. Third, it had a lasting impact on American politics, as it helped to shape the public's perception of President Hoover and the federal government.
What were the different perspectives on the Bonus March?
There were a number of different perspectives on the Bonus March. Some people saw the marchers as heroes who were fighting for what they had earned. Others saw them as troublemakers who were trying to undermine the government. Still others saw them as victims of the Great Depression who were desperate for help.
What are the lessons that we can learn from the Bonus March?
There are a number of lessons that we can learn from the Bonus March. First, we can learn that it is important to listen to the concerns of those who feel that they have been wronged. Second, we can learn that it is important to avoid violence when resolving conflicts. Third, we can learn that it is important to be mindful of the impact that our actions have on others.