Bonus Army March in Washington D.C.

The Bonus Army March in Washington D.C.

The Bonus Army, comprised of World War I veterans and their families, marched to Washington D.C. in the summer of 1932 to demand what they believed was rightfully owed to them.

The Bonus Army march demanded early payment on a bonus for serving in World War I. The veterans felt that they had been promised a bonus for their service in the war, but it was not due to be paid until 1945. However, with the economic hardships of the Great Depression, many veterans were struggling to make ends meet and wanted their bonus payments sooner.

When the Bonus Army assembled in Washington D.C., they set up camps near the Capitol building and White House to bring attention to their cause. Thousands of veterans and their families participated in the march, hoping to pressure Congress and President Hoover to grant their request for early payment of the bonus.

The government's response to the Bonus Army march was met with mixed reactions. While some officials sympathized with the veterans' plight, others viewed the march as a challenge to authority and an attempt to incite rebellion. Ultimately, President Hoover ordered the evacuation of the camps, leading to a violent confrontation that resulted in injuries and deaths.

In the end, the Bonus Army march did not achieve its goal of early payment of the bonus for World War I veterans. However, the event brought attention to the struggles of veterans during the Great Depression and highlighted the need for better support and assistance for those who had served their country.