Скачать или смотреть Bonus Army Driven Out by Force: Federal Troops Evict Veterans in Bloody Clash

Inside the Moment – Historical Special Report
Date: July 28, 1932
Location: Washington, D.C.

"Bonus Army Driven Out by Force: Federal Troops Evict Veterans in Bloody Clash Ordered by President Hoover"

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A grim chapter unfolded on July 28, 1932, as federal troops—acting under the orders of President Herbert Hoover—forcibly evicted thousands of World War I veterans and their families from their makeshift encampments along the Anacostia River. The event, which culminated in violence and tragedy, left four people dead, including an infant, and further deepened the public’s disillusionment with the federal government during the depths of the Great Depression.

The protesters, known collectively as the "Bonus Army," had gathered in the capital in the early summer to demand early payment of a promised service bonus not scheduled for release until 1945. As the Depression intensified and unemployment soared, these veterans—many of whom were destitute—sought relief from economic despair through peaceful protest and persistent appeals to Congress.

After Congress rejected their demands, tensions rose. On July 28, clashes erupted between the veterans and police, prompting Hoover to authorize the use of military force. Under the command of General Douglas MacArthur, assisted by then-Major Dwight D. Eisenhower and Major George S. Patton, troops deployed tanks, cavalry, and tear gas to disperse the encampments.

The resulting scene was chaotic and devastating. Veterans and their families fled as soldiers burned tents and shelters. Casualties included not only adult protesters but also women and children caught in the melee. The sight of American soldiers confronting their fellow citizens—men who had once worn the same uniform—was met with outrage across the nation.

The brutal handling of the Bonus Army further eroded public confidence in Hoover's leadership and is widely believed to have contributed to his defeat in the presidential election later that year. The tragic incident became a lasting symbol of governmental indifference in a time of national hardship.

#InsideTheMoment #BonusArmy #GreatDepression #HerbertHoover #WWIVeterans #ProtestHistory #DouglasMacArthur #OnThisDay1932 #AmericanHistory