What Was The Bonus Army: WWI Veterans' Historic Protest

In 1932, over 43,000 World War I veterans and their families marched on Washington, D.C. They were demanding early payment of their service certificates. Led by Walter M. Waters, they called themselves the Bonus Expeditionary Force (B.E.F.). The media, on the other hand, called them the “Bonus Army” or “Bonus Marchers.”

Their main aim was to get the cash payment from the World War Adjusted Compensation Act of 1924. This act said they could get their money in 1945, but they wanted it sooner.

Table of Contents

Origins of Military Service Bonuses in American History

The idea of giving bonuses for military service in America started in 1776, during the American Revolution. These bonuses were meant to help soldiers make up for lost income while serving. This idea came from England, where it began in 1592-93.

Early American Military Compensation Practices

In 1781, during the American Revolution, veterans marched on Philadelphia. They demanded back pay, showing the need for fair compensation for those who served.

World War I Veterans’ Payment Promises

The World War Adjusted Compensation Act of 1924 was passed, despite President Coolidge’s veto. It promised bonuses to World War I veterans, with a max of $625 for those who served overseas. These bonuses were set to be paid in 1945, leading to the world war i veterans protest known as the Bonus Army.

World War Adjusted Compensation Act

The Act promised veterans $1 for each day of domestic service (up to $500) and $1.25 for each day overseas (up to $625). This added up to $3 billion in certificates. This generous offer was a key reason for the herbert hoover bonus army protest in 1932.

What Was the Bonus Army

The Bonus Army, also known as the Bonus Expeditionary Force (B.E.F.), was a group of World War I veterans and their families. They came together in Washington, D.C. in 1932. The group had about 43,000 people, with 17,000 being veterans.

They were demanding cash for their service certificates because of the Great Depression’s economic hardships. The movement started in Portland, Oregon, with 400 veterans led by Walter M. Waters. It grew as they traveled to Washington.

In 1924, Congress passed the World War Adjusted Compensation Act. It granted veterans certificates worth up to $625. But, these payments were set to be fully distributed in 1945.

Veterans bonus army was frustrated with the delayed payments. They were struggling to survive during the economic crisis. So, they went to Washington, D.C. to ask for their bonuses early.

About 20,000 veterans and their families arrived in Washington in the summer of 1932. They set up camp at Anacostia Flats, across the Potomac River from the city.

Statistic	Value
Approximate number of American men drafted during World War I	2.8 million out of 4.8 million who fought
Dollar amount initially paid to World War I veterans for service	$1 a day for domestic service, $1.25 for overseas service
Ratio of payment for defense job workers compared to World War I veterans	10 to 15 times higher
Approximate number of veterans who joined the Bonus Army march to Washington, DC in 1932	25,000 veterans and their families

Great Depression’s Impact on World War I Veterans

The Great Depression hit World War I veterans hard, leaving many jobless and broke. They turned to the U.S. government for help, asking for early payment of their war service certificates.

Economic Hardships Facing Veterans

In May 1932, about 17,000 World War I veterans went to Washington, D.C. They wanted their bonuses paid right away. This group, called the “Bonus Expeditionary Force,” included veterans and their families. They had been promised a big payment when they left the military, but the Depression made it hard to get by.

Push for Early Bonus Payments

The veterans faced tough times and decided to march on Washington. They wanted their bonuses paid early, not in 1945 as planned. The Bonus Bill passed in the House but failed in the Senate. Still, the veterans set up camp near the Capitol, determined to fight for their money.

Key Statistics	Details
Estimated Number of Veterans	Around 15,000 World War I veterans marched to Washington D.C. as part of the Bonus Army.
Promised Bonus Payment	The U.S. Congress voted to pay veterans $1.25 for each day served overseas and $1.00 for each day served in the U.S., with the bonus payment scheduled for 1945.
Camp Organization	The veterans built a camp near the U.S. Capitol using cardboard, scrap wood, and tar paper.
Congressional Action	The Bonus Bill proposed to pay the veterans early, passing in the House of Representatives but voted down by the Senate.
Presidential Response	President Hoover called in the army, led by General Douglas MacArthur, to disperse the veterans’ camp, resulting in injuries among the veterans, their wives, and children.
Legacy and Resolution	President Roosevelt vetoed a bill in 1936 that aimed to help veterans get their pay early, but Congress later overrode his veto, providing the “Bonus Army” with their full compensation earlier than planned.

March on Washington DC in 1932

In May 1932, a group of veterans from Portland, Oregon, led by Walter W. Waters, started their journey to Washington DC. They traveled by freight train to Iowa and then hitched rides and walked to the capital. By June 1, about 1,500 veterans and their families had arrived in Washington DC.

They set up camps in various locations, including a large 30-acre site on Anacostia Flats. The number of protesters grew to between 10,000 and 20,000 by late July. This created a significant presence in the capital.

In 1924, Congress had given World War I veterans certificates for $1,000 each, to be redeemed in 1945. But by 1932, the Great Depression had hit hard. These veterans were desperate for the early payment of their bonuses.

The House of Representatives passed a bill for the early payment of the bonus on June 15. But the Senate defeated it two days later. This was a big disappointment for the protesters.

Despite this setback, the bonus army marched again in 1933. They were determined to secure their financial relief.

Key Statistics	Data
Size of the Bonus Army in 1932	Between 10,000 and 20,000 veterans and their families
World War I veterans mobilized	Over 4 million American soldiers
US service members who died in World War I	112,000, with half succumbing to the Spanish Flu
Unemployment rate in the US in 1932	25%
Potential boost to spending if the bonus was paid out immediately	$2.4 billion

Bonus army march on Washington DC in 1932 was a significant event. It highlighted the struggles of World War I veterans during the Great Depression. Their determination to secure the early payment of their bonuses led to a prolonged presence in the nation’s capital. This congressional battle would ultimately shape the legacy of this historic protest.

Life in the Bonus Army Camps

Over 20,000 veterans gathered in Washington, D.C., creating a large camp called “Camp Marks.” It became a center of activity and community. The camp was a place where protesters could live and organize together.

Camp Organization and Daily Operations

Veterans built shelters from scraps, making a structured camp with streets and sanitation. They even had a police force to keep things orderly. The camp had a religious tent, a library, and a post office to meet daily needs.

Community Development at Anacostia Flats

To live in the camps, veterans had to show they were honorably discharged. This made them feel united and proud of their community. DC Police worked with camp leaders to help with food and supplies, strengthening the anacostia flats protest.

Living Conditions and Support Systems

Despite tough times, the veterans in the bonus army camp life formed a strong community. They helped each other through the Great Depression, working together for their bonuses.

Congressional Battle Over the Bonus Bill

The battle over the bonus bill for World War I veterans reached a critical juncture in 1932. On June 15, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Wright Patman Bonus Bill. This bill would have given immediate cash payments to the veterans. But, the bill faced strong opposition in the Senate and from President Hoover’s administration.

The Senate rejected the bonus bill on June 17, saying the government couldn’t pay because its funds were low. Despite the bill’s failure, many veterans refused to leave Washington. They continued their occupation and protests into July. The Patman bonus bill had become a symbol of the growing tensions between the government and the veterans known as the Bonus Army.

The House of Representatives passed the Patman Bonus Bill on June 15, 1932, by a vote of 211-176.
The Senate rejected the bonus bill on June 17, citing the government’s inability to pay due to depleted treasury funds.
Thousands of veterans gathered at the Capitol building on June 17, 1932, as the Senate voted down the bonus bill.

The clash over the bonus bill showed the deep economic and political challenges of the Great Depression. With millions of Americans jobless and struggling, the veterans’ demand for their bonuses became more urgent. The government’s refusal to pay the bonuses only made tensions worse. This set the stage for the dramatic confrontation that would follow in July.

Violent Confrontation of July 28

The bonus army conflict hit a peak on July 28, 1932. Attorney General William Mitchell ordered protesters off government land. When police tried to move the bonus marchers, a riot broke out, killing two veterans.

President Hoover then called in the U.S. Army to remove the protesters. This move was a response to the growing violence.

Police and Military Response

General Douglas MacArthur led 800 troops and six tanks to break up the Bonus Army. Despite Hoover’s orders, MacArthur pushed into the main camp. He used tear gas and burned the shanties.

This harsh action was widely criticized. It had big political fallout.

MacArthur’s Controversial Actions

Estimated number of bonus marchers: between 5,000 to 10,000
A force of district police present to maintain order during the incident
The Department of Justice was investigating the violence that led to the call for Army detachments
Two veterans and two babies were killed during the violent confrontation, and local hospitals were overwhelmed with injured individuals

The harsh crackdown by General Douglas MacArthur on the bonus army conflict sparked outrage. It had big political consequences for the Hoover administration. The douglas macarthur bonus army incident changed how America helped veterans. It led to better laws for veterans and shaped future social welfare policies.

Key Military Leaders Involved in the Conflict

The Bonus Army conflict of 1932 was marked by the presence of notable military figures. General Douglas MacArthur, the Army Chief of Staff, led the troops against the Bonus Army protesters in Washington, D.C. His aide, Major Dwight D. Eisenhower, would later become the 34th President of the United States. Major George S. Patton, a future World War II general, commanded the tank units against the protesters.

Patton’s confrontation with a veteran named Joe Angelo, who had saved his life in World War I, was a controversial part of the Bonus Army incident. The involvement of these future military leaders in suppressing their fellow veterans was seen as troubling. It left a lasting mark on their careers and the public’s perception of the event.

Military Leader	Role in Bonus Army Conflict	Future Accomplishments
General Douglas MacArthur	Commanded the Army troops deployed to disperse the Bonus Army protesters	Achieved the rank of General of the Army, one of the few to do so Earned 18 medals, including the Medal of Honor Served in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War
Major Dwight D. Eisenhower	Served as an aide to General MacArthur during the Bonus Army conflict	Became the 34th President of the United States Served as the Supreme Allied Commander during World War II
Major George S. Patton	Commanded the tank units deployed against the Bonus Army protesters	Became a renowned World War II general, known for his leadership and tactical prowess Confronted a veteran who had saved his life during World War I, adding to the controversy

Involvement of these future military leaders in the Bonus Army conflict became a controversial aspect of their careers. They were tasked with suppressing their fellow veterans during a time of great hardship and desperation.

Political Fallout and Public Response

The violent dispersal of the Bonus Army by military forces under President Herbert Hoover’s order sparked a lot of backlash. Many saw it as an overuse of force against unarmed veterans and their families. Newspapers, even those that usually supported Hoover, strongly criticized the action. This criticism hurt Hoover’s chances of winning the 1932 presidential election, leading to his loss to Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The public’s sympathy for the veterans grew, and outrage over their treatment became widespread. The Bonus Army, with up to 25,000 people, including families and children, marched on Washington, D.C. They were demanding early payment of bonuses promised to World War I veterans. The 1924 Adjusted Compensation Act had delayed these payments until 1945, prompting the veterans to seek their benefits during the Great Depression.

Event	Impact
Violent dispersal of Bonus Army	Significant political backlash, damaged Hoover’s re-election campaign
Public sympathy for veterans and outrage over treatment	Shifted political discourse and public opinion

Legacy of the Bonus Army’s march on Washington and the government’s violent response is still felt today. It shows the deep issues of veterans, economic struggles, and the power balance between the people and their government.

Legacy and Final Payment Resolution

The Bonus Army movement changed American politics and how we treat veterans. In 1936, Congress voted to give veterans their bonus early, a big win. This move also helped create the G.I. Bill in 1944. The G.I. Bill offered education, housing, and job training benefits to World War II veterans.

The Bonus Army’s fight showed the need to help veterans in hard times. It led to better support for veterans from the government. This event is key in American history, showing how protests can bring about change.

Even though the 1932 protests ended badly, the Bonus Army’s impact is still felt. The government learned from its mistakes. Now, we make sure veterans are well taken care of, so they won’t face the same struggles.

What Was the Bonus Army: WWI Veterans’ Historic Protest

Origins of Military Service Bonuses in American History