Why did the Bonus Army march on Washington D.C.?
What was the reason for the Bonus Army to march on Washington D.C.?
Why did the Bonus Army feel they should be compensated for their service certificates?
The Reason for the Bonus Army March on Washington D.C.
The Bonus Army consisted of WWI Veterans with their families who felt they should be compensated in cash for the service certificates that had been issued to them. Many affiliated agencies also went to Washington with them to help convince the powers in Washington that this was only right.
The Bonus Army, also known as the Bonus Expeditionary Force, marched on Washington D.C. in 1932. The reason behind their march was their belief that they should receive immediate cash payment for their service certificates, also known as bonus certificates, that they had received for their service during World War I.
After World War I, Congress had authorized the issuance of these certificates as a form of compensation to the veterans for their service. The certificates were not redeemable until 1945, but due to the economic hardships of the Great Depression in the early 1930s, many veterans found themselves in desperate financial situations and wanted immediate payment.
Led by former Army sergeant Walter W. Waters, the Bonus Army, comprising thousands of veterans and their families, marched to Washington D.C. to demand early cash redemption of their certificates. They set up camps near the Capitol and began protesting peacefully, seeking support from the government.
Unfortunately, their peaceful protest turned into a confrontation with law enforcement and the military when President Herbert Hoover ordered the eviction of the protesters. The situation escalated, leading to violence and clashes, resulting in casualties and injuries among the protesters.
Despite their efforts and the sympathy they garnered from the public, the Bonus Army's demand for immediate payment was not met. The incident highlighted the plight of the veterans and the challenges they faced during the Great Depression.