Bonus march
The Bonus Army or Bonus March or Bonus Expeditionary Force was a collection of 15,000 World War I veterans and their families who demonstrated in Washington, DC during June, 1932 seeking immediate payment of a "bonus" that had been promised by the Bonus Law of 1924 for payment in 1945. The protestors had hoped that they could pressure Congress to change the law and make immediate payments, which would have provided relief for the marchers, many of whom were unemployed due to the Great Depression. The bill passed the House of Representatives, but was blocked in the Senate.
The march was dispersed by federal troops under the command of General Douglas MacArthur, in a possible violation of the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878. Dwight D. Eisenhower and George Patton also took part in the operation. Tanks and troops with rifles with bayonets were sent into the Bonus Expeditionary Force's camps. Hundreds of veterans were injured, several were killed, such as William Hushka, a wife of a veteran miscarried, and other such casualties were inflicted. The army burned down the BEF's tents. President Herbert Hoover's direction to use military force against peaceful demonstrators petitioning their government did not help in his re-election efforts.
Referenced By
Economics of the United States | Economy of the United States | U.S. economy | US Economy | United States/Economy | United States of America/Economy
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