What did President Hoover do that directly led to the Bonus Army march on Washington in 1932?
Answer (3)
They marched on on Washington D.C. because many of the protesters were WW1 veteran that were promised to be paid for fighting in the war. The government did not pay them and said that they postponed the payment, this was during the Great Depression and therefor the veterans were in great need of the money.
President Hoover's actions that directly led to the Bonus Army march on Washington in 1932 were based on economic and policy decisions. In the summer of 1932, over 15,000 World War I veterans and their families, known as the Bonus Army , marched on Washington D.C. to demand the early payment of bonuses that were due to them in 1945. With the nation suffering from the Great Depression, these veterans were in dire financial straits, facing joblessness and homelessness.
On July 28, based on orders from President Hoover, the military confronted these veterans using tear gas and bayonets to disperse them. This aggressive action led to panic, riots, and casualties including injuries to hundreds and the death of a baby. The violent dispersal of the protesters by Hoover's administration was widely criticized by the media and public opinion, contributing to Hoover's diminishing credibility and influencing the Presidential election outcome.
In contrast, when a small group of Bonus Army veterans returned to Washington in 1933 to petition the new President Roosevelt, Roosevelt's approach differed significantly. Though he initially vetoed the bill for early bonus payment, Congress overrode his veto, and in the meantime, Roosevelt's administration treated the veterans with more respect and provided jobs through programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps, illustrating a stark difference between the two administrations' handling of the Bonus Army matter.
President Hoover's decision to order the military to forcibly disperse the Bonus Army in July 1932 directly led to the march's escalation into violence. This action was perceived as harsh and damaging to his credibility amid the Great Depression. The event significantly impacted the public’s perception of Hoover and influenced the subsequent presidential election.
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