The Confrontation with the Government

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 69 views

Introduction

The Bonus Army and the Hunger Marches were two pivotal events in American history that highlighted the struggles of the working class during the Great Depression. These events, which took place in the 1930s, showcased the desperation and resilience of the people who were fighting for their rights and dignity. In this article, we will delve into the history of these events, their causes, and their consequences.

The Bonus Army

The Bonus Army was a group of World War I veterans who marched on Washington, D.C. in 1932 to demand early payment of a promised bonus for their military service. The bonus, which was scheduled to be paid in 1945, was seen as a way to compensate the veterans for their sacrifices during the war.

The Background

After World War I, many veterans returned home to find that they were struggling to make ends meet. The economy was in shambles, and many were forced to live in poverty. In response, Congress passed the Adjusted Compensation Act, which provided for a bonus to be paid to veterans in 1945. However, the veterans were not content to wait five years for their bonus and decided to take matters into their own hands.

The March on Washington

On May 29, 1932, a group of approximately 17,000 veterans, led by Walter W. Waters, a former Army sergeant, set out on a march from the city of Portland, Oregon to Washington, D.C. The march was a long and arduous one, with the veterans facing harsh weather conditions and opposition from local authorities.

The Confrontation with the Government

When the Bonus Army arrived in Washington, D.C., they set up a large encampment on the outskirts of the city. The government, led by President Herbert Hoover, refused to meet with the veterans, and instead, deployed the U.S. Army to disperse the crowd. On July 28, 1932, the Army, led by General Douglas MacArthur, attacked the Bonus Army, using tear gas and bayonets to drive them out of the city.

The Aftermath

The Bonus Army was brutally suppressed, with many veterans being injured or arrested. The event was widely condemned, and it marked a turning point in the relationship between the government and the working class. The Bonus Army's struggle for justice and equality was a powerful reminder of the need for social and economic reform.

The Hunger Marches

The Hunger Marches were a series of protests that took place in the United States in the 1930s, in which thousands of people marched on cities across the country to demand relief from the Great Depression. The marches were organized by the Unemployed Councils, a group of activists who were fighting for the rights of the unemployed.

The Background

The Great Depression had a devastating impact on the working class, with millions of people losing their jobs and struggling to make ends meet. In response, the Unemployed Councils were formed to provide support and advocacy for the unemployed. The Councils organized a series of protests and marches, which became known as the Hunger Marches.

The Marches

The Hunger Marches took place in cities across the country, including New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The marches were peaceful, with participants carrying signs and banners demanding relief from the government. However, the marches were often met with violence and intimidation from local authorities.

The Confrontation with the Government

The government, led by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, refused to meet with the marchers, and instead, deployed the National Guard to disperse the crowds. On May 9, 1932, the National Guard attacked a group of marchers in Chicago, killing two people and injuring many others.

The Aftermath

The Hunger Marches were a powerful reminder of the need for social and economic reform. The marches highlighted the desperation and resilience of the working class, and they played a significant role in shaping the New Deal policies of President Roosevelt.

Conclusion

The Bonus Army and the Hunger Marches were two pivotal events in American history that highlighted the struggles of the working class during the Great Depression. These events showcased the desperation and resilience of the people who were fighting for their rights and dignity. The Bonus Army's struggle for justice and equality was a powerful reminder of the need for social and economic reform, and the Hunger Marches highlighted the need for government action to address the crisis of the Great Depression.

Timeline

1918: World War I ends, and many veterans return home to find that they are struggling to make ends meet.
1929: The Great Depression begins, and millions of people lose their jobs and struggle to make ends meet.
1932: The Bonus Army marches on Washington, D.C. to demand early payment of a promised bonus for their military service.
1932: The Hunger Marches take place in cities across the country, with thousands of people marching to demand relief from the Great Depression.
1933: President Franklin D. Roosevelt is elected, and he begins to implement the New Deal policies, which provide relief and reform to the working class.

Key Figures

Walter W. Waters: A former Army sergeant who led the Bonus Army march on Washington, D.C.
Herbert Hoover: The President of the United States who refused to meet with the Bonus Army and deployed the U.S. Army to disperse the crowd.
Douglas MacArthur: The General who led the U.S. Army in the attack on the Bonus Army.
Franklin D. Roosevelt: The President of the United States who implemented the New Deal policies and provided relief and reform to the working class.
A. Philip Randolph: A labor leader who organized the Hunger Marches and advocated for the rights of the unemployed.

Sources

"The Bonus Army" by James A. Farley (1932)
"The Hunger Marches" by A. Philip Randolph (1932)
"The Great Depression" by John Kenneth Galbraith (1954)
"The New Deal" by Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. (1958)
"The Bonus Army and the Hunger Marches" by David M. Kennedy (1999)
The Bonus Army and the Hunger Marches: A Q&A =====================================================

Introduction

The Bonus Army and the Hunger Marches were two pivotal events in American history that highlighted the struggles of the working class during the Great Depression. These events showcased the desperation and resilience of the people who were fighting for their rights and dignity. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the Bonus Army and the Hunger Marches.

Q: What was the Bonus Army?

A: The Bonus Army was a group of World War I veterans who marched on Washington, D.C. in 1932 to demand early payment of a promised bonus for their military service.

Q: Why did the Bonus Army march on Washington, D.C.?

A: The Bonus Army marched on Washington, D.C. to demand early payment of a promised bonus for their military service. They believed that they had earned the bonus through their sacrifices during World War I and that it was unfair to make them wait five years for it.

Q: What happened to the Bonus Army?

A: The Bonus Army was brutally suppressed by the U.S. Army, led by General Douglas MacArthur, on July 28, 1932. Many veterans were injured or arrested, and the event was widely condemned.

Q: What were the Hunger Marches?

A: The Hunger Marches were a series of protests that took place in the United States in the 1930s, in which thousands of people marched on cities across the country to demand relief from the Great Depression.

Q: Why did the Hunger Marches take place?

A: The Hunger Marches took place because millions of people were struggling to make ends meet during the Great Depression. The Unemployed Councils, a group of activists, organized the marches to demand relief from the government.

Q: What happened to the Hunger Marchers?

A: The Hunger Marchers were often met with violence and intimidation from local authorities. In some cases, the National Guard was deployed to disperse the crowds, and in one instance, two people were killed in Chicago.

Q: What was the significance of the Bonus Army and the Hunger Marches?

A: The Bonus Army and the Hunger Marches were significant because they highlighted the desperation and resilience of the working class during the Great Depression. They also played a role in shaping the New Deal policies of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Q: Who were some of the key figures involved in the Bonus Army and the Hunger Marches?

A: Some of the key figures involved in the Bonus Army and the Hunger Marches included:

Walter W. Waters: A former Army sergeant who led the Bonus Army march on Washington, D.C.
Herbert Hoover: The President of the United States who refused to meet with the Bonus Army and deployed the U.S. Army to disperse the crowd.
Douglas MacArthur: The General who led the U.S. Army in the attack on the Bonus Army.
Franklin D. Roosevelt: The President of the United States who implemented the New Deal policies and provided relief and reform to the working class.
A. Philip Randolph: A labor leader who organized the Hunger Marches and advocated for the rights of the unemployed.

Q: What can we learn from the Bonus Army and the Hunger Marches?

A: We can learn that the struggles of the working class during the Great Depression were real and that the government's response was often inadequate. We can also learn about the importance of activism and advocacy in shaping social and economic policies.

Sources

"The Bonus Army" by James A. Farley (1932)
"The Hunger Marches" by A. Philip Randolph (1932)
"The Great Depression" by John Kenneth Galbraith (1954)
"The New Deal" by Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. (1958)
"The Bonus Army and the Hunger Marches" by David M. Kennedy (1999)