The Bonus Army March: A Historic Protest in Washington D.C.
Who were the members of the "Bonus Army" that marched on Washington D.C?
The Bonus Army consisted of which group of individuals?
What were they protesting?
What was the main reason behind the protest by the Bonus Army?
What was the outcome of the event--for both the protesters AND President Hoover?
How did the protest and subsequent events impact both the Bonus Army and President Hoover?
Final answer:
The Bonus Army consisted of World War I veterans who marched on Washington D.C. to demand early cash redemption of their Service Certificates. The protest ended in a violent clash with the U.S. Army, damaging public opinion of President Hoover and contributing to his electoral defeat.
The Bonus Army was a group of approximately 20,000 U.S. World War I veterans, along with their families and affiliated groups, who marched on Washington D.C. in the summer of 1932. They were protesting to demand early cash redemption of their Service Certificates, a form of delayed compensation the government had issued for their wartime service, which was not due to be paid until 1945.
The outcome of the event was tragic for the protesters. The march culminated in a confrontation with the U.S. Army, ordered by President Herbert Hoover, who viewed the marchers as a threat to public order. The ensuing violence resulted in the death of two veterans and scores injured. This incident severely damaged the public's perception of President Hoover and contributed to his defeat in the 1932 presidential election.