What is the Significance of the Bonus Army?

The Bonus Army was a group of World War I veterans who marched on Washington, D.C., in 1932 to demand the immediate payment of bonuses that had been promised to them but were not due until 1945. Their significant protest highlighted the struggles of veterans during the Great Depression and drew national attention to their plight. The government's violent response to the march, where troops were ordered to disperse the veterans, underscored the tensions between the government and struggling citizens during this economic crisis, ultimately leading to public outrage and a reevaluation of how veterans were treated. The Bonus Army's actions contributed to the broader discourse on veterans' rights and economic relief during a time of national hardship.