Bonus Marchers Research Paper

In 1932, 40,000 marchers formed an ‘army’ to receive a bonus for their time in war. They were greatly mistreated by the government and local officials in Washington D.C.. If there was a different president in office the bonus army most likely would’ve got their bonus much quicker, without violence. The bonus marchers were interested in getting money that they had earned from their time in war. The great depression was occurring and the economy was falling, the men were desperate to get money and the bonus was the only source of money they could think of. The men packed up their things and left with their families to get their bonuses. The marchers stayed in little shacks that they called hoovervilles, they lived on land right outside of Washington D.C.. The ‘army’ protested outside of the white house and other government official buildings. On July 28, General Douglas MacArthur and his troops attacked the bonus army, they burnt down their ‘hoovervilles’ and they killed men who tried to protect their ‘homes’. They were forced out of their houses and had to leave immediately. The army didn’t get their actual bonus until 1936 which was a little too late. The government officials that were at the white house ignored the bonus marchers and avoided them at all costs.
The government had a laissez-faire attitude and tried their best to stay out of the citizens conflict, which they did greatly at this time in history. I believe that Teddy Roosevelt would have helped the veterans and the citizens of America in general during the crisis of The Great Depression.
Herbert Hoover was a good president but he believed the economy should fix itself, many others would beg to differ, feeling like the government should handle crisis-like situations. I disagree with Hoover’s laissez-faire attitude, he should’ve helped the men that have served for this country’s freedom. Herbert Hoover was put into office at the wrong time in my opinion, I feel like his term should have been at a time when our country was at peace. Herbert honestly did nothing for the bonus marchers and caused more pain than
happiness. The bonus marchers are a forgotten group of important people. Their trip in 1932 was a terrific, how many times do you hear about 40,000 people going to Washington D.C. for their military bonus? Just think of what would have happened if we had a different president in office, maybe The Great Depression wouldn't have lasted as long. The government treated the bonus army poorly, even cops, who help protect citizens, treated veterans poorly.