Demands of the Bonus Army- Unveiling the Motivations Behind the Great March of 1932
What did Bonus Army want? This question delves into the historical context of the United States during the Great Depression, focusing on the plight of World War I veterans who demanded early payment of their military bonuses. The Bonus Army was a group of approximately 43,000 veterans who marched on Washington, D.C., in the summer of 1932, seeking the immediate payment of bonuses they had been promised for their service during the war. This article explores the reasons behind their demands, the challenges they faced, and the lasting impact of their struggle on American society.
The Bonus Army was born out of the economic hardships of the Great Depression, a period marked by widespread unemployment, poverty, and despair. Many veterans, who had been promised bonuses for their service in World War I, were struggling to make ends meet. The bonuses were meant to be paid in 1945, but the veterans believed that the economic crisis justified an early distribution of the funds. Their slogan, “Bread and Bonuses,” encapsulated their dual demands for relief from poverty and the fulfillment of their wartime promises.
As the Bonus Army marched on Washington, they faced a series of challenges. The government, led by President Herbert Hoover, was initially indifferent to their plight. The veterans were denied access to the capital and were forced to camp in makeshift shelters along the Potomac River. Their presence in the nation’s capital became a source of embarrassment to the government, which was already grappling with the economic crisis and the growing popularity of the Democratic Party’s New Deal policies.
The situation escalated when the government attempted to clear the veterans from their encampment. On July 28, 1932, a clash between the veterans and the U.S. Army, known as the “Battle of the Bridge,” resulted in injuries and deaths on both sides. The incident garnered national attention and exposed the government’s harsh treatment of the Bonus Army. Despite the controversy, the veterans remained determined to fight for their cause.
Ultimately, the Bonus Army’s demands were met when President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who had been elected in 1932 on a platform of New Deal reforms, agreed to their request. In 1936, Congress passed the Bonus Act, which provided for the immediate payment of the bonuses. The veterans celebrated their victory, but the experience of the Bonus Army had a lasting impact on American society.
The Bonus Army’s struggle highlighted the need for social welfare programs and the role of the federal government in addressing the economic hardships of its citizens. It also contributed to the growing public support for the New Deal, which aimed to provide relief, recovery, and reform. The Bonus Army’s fight for justice and the government’s eventual response helped shape the landscape of American politics and social policy for decades to come.
In conclusion, the Bonus Army wanted nothing more than to fulfill the promises made to them for their service during World War I. Their struggle for economic relief and the fulfillment of their bonuses serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war and the importance of government intervention in times of crisis. The legacy of the Bonus Army continues to resonate in American history, emphasizing the power of collective action and the enduring impact of social movements on the nation’s future.
