Notes on the Bonus Expeditionary Force and Public Response during 1932

  • Background

    • Bonus Expeditionary Force (BEF): A march in the summer of 1932 by 15,000 World War I veterans to Washington, DC.
    • They sought early payment of a bonus promised for 1945 due to dire economic circumstances during the Great Depression.

  • Key Events Leading to the BEF March

    • Election of 1932: Herbert Hoover was the Republican candidate. Despite winning a landslide in 1928, he faced challenges due to the Great Depression that began in 1929.
    • The Democrats, led by FDR, capitalized on the hardships by emphasizing economic recovery.
    • Roosevelt sought to unify divided Democrats over issues like Prohibition.

  • Prohibition Context

    • Prohibition (1919-1933) was seen as a failed legislative measure, with the Volstead Act struggling against widespread bootlegging.
    • Political figures like William Jennings Bryan supported Prohibition, while others like Al Smith opposed it, illustrating deep divisions in the Democratic Party.
    • Eleanor Roosevelt and FDR promised economic reforms, paving the way for the repeal of Prohibition in 1933 with the 21st Amendment.

  • The BEF March to Washington

    • Led by veterans facing extreme poverty, they built encampments in DC, seeking to pressure Congress for their bonuses.
    • Hoover ordered troops, including General Douglas MacArthur and Major George Patton, to disband the encampment.
    • The veterans were forcibly removed; their makeshift homes were destroyed, symbolizing government indifference.

  • Post-BEF Legacy

    • Despite the visible suffering of veterans, neither Hoover nor FDR granted early bonuses until the expected date in 1945.
    • The incident highlighted Hoover’s unpopularity and contributed to the perception of a heartless approach to the Depression.

  • Political Implications of the BEF

    • The treatment of the BEF contributed to a Democratic electoral landslide in 1932, signaling a shift towards interventionist government policies in the face of economic crisis.

  • Impact of the Great Depression on Political Parties

    • The Depression overshadowed previous divisions over social issues, leading to a political realignment, particularly among African Americans who increasingly supported the Democratic Party.
    • Hoover’s reluctance to provide direct aid through government initiatives contrasted sharply with FDR’s emerging New Deal programs.

  • Conclusion

    • The BEF exemplified the struggles of veterans during the Great Depression, becoming a defining moment in the lead-up to the 1932 election, highlighting the need for government accountability and support for its citizens amidst widespread economic hardship.