The Bonus Army

Promises Not Kept After WWI, Congress promised a bonus to all war veterans Payment was postponed until 1945

Hard Times For Veterans By 1932, many veterans were desperate for money They began demanding that congress give them there promised money Congress introduced a bill to provide the needy veterans with immediate payment

Hoover’s Motives Hoover’s administration opposed Congress’ bill Members of Hoover’s cabinet said the expenditures would unbalance the budget and favor veterans over other needy citizens

“The Bonus Army” In June 1932, 22,000 veterans from all over converged on Washington D.C. Many made their journey by hopping freight trains, hitchhiking, and driving beat up cars The Bonus Army set up camp across the Anacostia River near the Capitol

Their Number One Goal Their goal was to pressure Congress into passing the bill

The End of the Protest The Bonus Army was an embarrassment to President Hoover In Washington D.C., the protesters were an undeniable reminder of the hard times Americans were going through The bonus bill was defeated, but Congress authorized a $100,000 for transportation home to the protesters

The Aftershock The U.S. government called the protesters Communists and hoodlums Government officials tried to evict many protesters from an abandoned Treasury Dept. building where they were staying Their actions turned into a brawl, and two veterans were killed With Hoover’s approval the U.S. Army was brought in, led by D. MacArthur and D. Eisenhower