President Hoover and the Bonus Army March on Washington in 1932

What did President Hoover do that directly led the Bonus Army march on Washington in 1932?

Final answer:

President Hoover's direct involvement with the Bonus Army march came from his order on July 28, 1932, to disperse the protestors with military force, leading to widespread criticism and influence on the upcoming Presidential election. In contrast to Hoover, Roosevelt later treated the veterans with more compassion, providing jobs instead of military intervention.

Explanation:

President Hoover's actions that directly led to the Bonus Army march on Washington in 1932 were based on economic and policy decisions. In the summer of 1932, over 15,000 World War I veterans and their families, known as the Bonus Army, marched on Washington D.C. to demand the early payment of bonuses that were due to them in 1945. With the nation suffering from the Great Depression, these veterans were in dire financial straits, facing joblessness and homelessness.

On July 28, based on orders from President Hoover, the military confronted these veterans using tear gas and bayonets to disperse them. This aggressive action led to panic, riots, and casualties including injuries to hundreds and the death of a baby. The violent dispersal of the protesters by Hoover's administration was widely criticized by the media and public opinion, contributing to Hoover's diminishing credibility and influencing the Presidential election outcome.

In contrast, when a small group of Bonus Army veterans returned to Washington in 1933 to petition the new President Roosevelt, Roosevelt's approach differed significantly. Though he initially vetoed the bill for early bonus payment, Congress overrode his veto, and in the meantime, Roosevelt's administration treated the veterans with more respect and provided jobs through programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps, illustrating a stark difference between the two administrations' handling of the Bonus Army matter.