The Controversial Response of the Government to the Bonus Army March

What was the government's response to the Bonus Army's march on Washington D.C. in 1932?

The Bonus Army March and Government's Response

The Bonus Army was a group of World War I veterans who marched on Washington D.C. in 1932 to demand the immediate payment of their war bonuses, which were not due to be paid until 1945. The government's response to the Bonus Army's march was controversial and had lasting effects.

As a result of the Bonus Army's march, the government responded by attempting to disperse the veterans with force, leading to violent clashes and several deaths. President Herbert Hoover then ordered General Douglas MacArthur to lead a military operation to evacuate the veterans and their families from their campsites. This operation, known as the "Battle of Anacostia Flats," resulted in the destruction of the Bonus Army's makeshift camp and the eviction of its members.

The use of force against the veterans caused widespread outrage and tarnished Hoover's reputation. This incident also had political repercussions, contributing to criticism of Hoover's handling of the Great Depression and ultimately his defeat in the 1932 presidential election. Additionally, it played a role in the passage of the G.I. Bill of Rights in 1944, providing benefits to World War II veterans.