The Bonus Army and the Great Depression

The Aftermath of World War I and the Onset of the Great Depression

The end of World War I in 1918 marked the beginning of a challenging era for returning veterans. The war had introduced devastating new technologies that resulted in high casualties, and survivors often bore the scars of trench warfare, both visible and invisible. The economic prosperity of the Roaring Twenties was short-lived, and by the 1930s, the Great Depression had taken hold of the United States. Veterans, like many others, faced unemployment and poverty. The nation grappled with the moral imperative to support those who had sacrificed so much during the war, yet were now struggling to survive in a time of economic crisis.

The Formation and Objectives of the Bonus Army

The Bonus Army was a group of World War I veterans who, in 1932, marched on Washington D.C. to demand the immediate payment of a bonus that had been promised to them. The bonus, legislated by the World War Adjusted Compensation Act of 1924, was intended as deferred compensation for their wartime service, payable in 1945. However, the dire economic conditions of the Great Depression led the veterans to seek earlier payment. Their collective action represented a desperate plea for financial relief and recognition of their service to the country.

The Struggle for the World War I Bonus

The compensation promised to World War I veterans was calculated at a rate of $1 per day for domestic service and $1.25 for service overseas, with caps at $500 and $625, respectively. Although the bonus was not scheduled for payment until 1945, veterans were allowed to take out loans against it. The Great Depression, however, had caused a banking crisis that restricted access to credit, leaving many veterans unable to obtain these loans. This lack of financial resources was a driving force behind the Bonus Army's formation and their subsequent protest in the nation's capital.

The Bonus Army's Encampment in Washington D.C.

Upon arriving in Washington D.C., the Bonus Army erected makeshift camps, creating shantytowns out of available materials. These encampments, similar to the Hoovervilles that dotted the country, symbolized the widespread economic hardship of the era. The veterans' encampment in the capital was part of a broader movement of protests by various groups affected by the Great Depression. Despite facing a hostile reception and initial governmental inaction, the veterans persisted in their demand for the promised bonus payment.

Leadership and Advocacy within the Bonus Army

Among the Bonus Army, Walter W. Waters, a World War I veteran, became a prominent leader. He organized his peers into the Bonus Expeditionary Force, echoing the name of the American Expeditionary Forces in which they had served. Waters documented the Bonus Army's experiences in a book published in 1933. Despite facing adversity, including harsh treatment by the authorities, Waters and many of his fellow veterans remained patriotic, with some even returning to serve in World War II.

Government Response to the Bonus Army Protests

The Hoover administration, supported by many Republicans, opposed the immediate payment of the bonus, a stance that had been previously held by President Coolidge. When Representative Wright Patman, a Democrat from Texas and World War I veteran, introduced legislation for the bonus payment, it was passed by the House but defeated in the Senate. President Hoover, committed to fiscal conservatism, was unlikely to have signed the bill even if it had passed. The financial constraints imposed by the Great Depression reinforced the government's position that the bonus payments were not feasible at that time.

The Disbandment of the Bonus Army and Its Political Repercussions

The confrontation between the Bonus Army and the government escalated when Attorney General William D. Mitchell ordered the eviction of the protestors by the DC police, leading to a riot in which two veterans were killed. President Hoover then instructed General Douglas MacArthur to clear the encampment, resulting in a violent clash where the veterans' shelters were destroyed and set ablaze. The public was appalled by the use of military force against impoverished veterans and their families. This event, along with the ongoing economic difficulties under Hoover's presidency, played a significant role in the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932, heralding a new approach to addressing the nation's economic challenges.