Reference Entry
BONUS ARMY DISPERSED IN WASHINGTON
In the depths of the Great Depression, military service and economic hardship collided on the streets of the nation’s capital. World War I veterans had marched on Washington to demand early payment of bonuses promised for their wartime service, setting up sprawling camps along the Anacostia River and near the Capitol. As the standoff dragged on and tensions rose, the government ordered the camps cleared.
Dated Historical Context
A RECORDED MOMENT IN HISTORY
Bonus Army dispersed in Washington
In the depths of the Great Depression, military service and economic hardship collided on the streets of the nation’s capital. World War I veterans had marched on Washington to demand early payment of bonuses promised for their wartime service, setting up sprawling camps along the Anacostia River and near the Capitol. As the standoff dragged on and tensions rose, the government ordered the camps cleared. On July 28th, Regular Army units with cavalry, infantry, and even a few tanks moved through the streets, using tear gas and bayonets to push the veterans and their families out. The sight of soldiers confronting former soldiers, many accompanied by wives and children, shocked much of the country. The episode damaged public confidence in the administration and underscored the importance of caring for veterans after the guns fall silent. Later legislation and programs would move, unevenly, toward a stronger safety net for those who had worn the uniform.
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