Bonus Marchers

  • Migration for Work: Over a million men, women, and families traveled by foot, car, or railroad in search of work, straining popular destinations.

    • In California, around 100,000 homeless people were seeking work in 1931.

    • State and local governments struggled to provide relief.

  • Hoovervilles: Many homeless people formed shanty towns, or 'Hoovervilles', on empty lands due to dissatisfaction with the hobo lifestyle.

    • Residents built accommodations from scrap materials, with populations growing into the hundreds.

    • Major Hoovervilles were found in New York City, Washington DC, and St Louis.

    • Lacked basic facilities, such as running water and permanent shelter.

    • Named after President Herbert Hoover, blamed for the crises.

    • An example: A Hooverville in Seattle, led by Jesse Jackson, struggled initially but gained official recognition in 1932.

  • The Bonus Marchers:

    • In 1924, US Congress passed a law promising WWI veterans a bonus of up to $625 for lost wages, payable in 1945.

    • In response to the Great Depression, 20,000 veterans marched to Washington DC in 1932 demanding their bonuses sooner.

    • While waiting, they camped across from the Capitol, and their plight continued to garner attention.

    • President Hoover opposed their demands, preferring alternative solutions to the Depression.

  • Government Actions:

    • Congress rejected the bonus bill on June 17, 1932, but offered $100,000 for the marchers' travel home.

    • Some 5,000 veterans remained to exert pressure on the government.

    • Hoover set a deadline for their departure and sent police to clear the camp on July 28, 1932.

    • Clashes occurred, resulting in two veterans killed and police withdrawal.

    • Hoover then dispatched the US Army, led by General Douglas MacArthur, to disperse the marchers with force, leading to injuries among the Bonus Marchers.

    • The event severely damaged Hoover's reputation.

  • Hoover's Philosophy:

    • During the Great Depression, Hoover faced heavy criticism for not doing enough to assist Americans.

    • He believed in volunteerism and self-reliance, opposing extensive government intervention in the economy.

    • Encouraged businesses to avoid job cuts but did not mandate it, reflecting the Republican belief in laissez-faire economics that had previously contributed to economic growth.

    • Acknowledged the severity of the crisis, which required some action despite his beliefs.

Two Key Features of the Bonus Marchers:

  1. Demand for Early Payment: The Bonus Marchers were a group of approximately 20,000 WWI veterans who marched to Washington DC in 1932, demanding the early payment of bonuses promised to them for their service. Originally, these bonuses were set to be paid in 1945, but the economic hardships of the Great Depression led them to seek immediate payment.

  2. Confrontation with Government: The marchers camped across from the Capitol and faced opposition from President Hoover, who rejected their demands and preferred alternative solutions to the Depression. The situation escalated when Hoover ordered the U.S. Army to forcibly clear the veterans’ camp, leading to violent clashes and damaging Hoover’s reputation.