2003 Apush Dbq

Intro in 3-5 sentences: The Bonus Army was in Washington marching to get the bonus that government promised them after serving their time in the war. The government couldn’t pay these people the money they were promised because the government wasn’t earning any money either. Yes, he sent troops to “evict the squatters” because after a background check on some of the people, they found that a lot of them hadn’t even served in the war and that most of them were ex-convicts. This makes it hard for the people to actually earn the bonuses they deserve for fighting the war.
Claim: What you are claiming: Herbert Hoover was not responsible for the uprising of the Bonus Army vets. President Herbert Hoover was not involved in the violence acted upon by the Bonus Army during the march on Washington.
We are providing this w/ these 3 arguments.
Arg. 1. Vets were resisting removal from Gov. Property and private property, as well as unlawful assemblies in the streets. (From Doc. 2 & 3)
Arg. 2. President Hoover isn’t in charge anymore (DC police force is in charge or is taking charge of the situation without any order given from the higher ups). Gen MacArthur stepped in to prevent violence between police and protesters. (Doc. 5, 9, 13)
Arg. 3. President Hoover makes the statement that there is a communist uprising from the veterans. (Doc. 2, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14,
2. (Detail) Douglas McArthur-Doc. #’s 5, 9, & 13-“The president has just now informed me that the civil government of the District of Columbia has reported to him that it is unable to maintain law and order in the District.” “Mr. Hurley directed me to inform Gen. MacArthur that the President did not wish the evacuation of the Anacostia Camp.” They (the Government) were trying to take a more gentle approach against the uprising vets who were camping out to earn their money. “Not a shot was fired [by the federal troops]…” Meaning that the only people who would have shot at anybody would have been the Bonus Army