Bonus March: Depression Era Consequences
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How significant a consequence of the Depression was the Bonus March? Explain your answer.
ESSAY
The Bonus March during the Great Depression had significant consequences. The peaceful protest of 25,000 army veterans demanding their bonus payment highlighted the hardship and lack of support faced by the American people. The violent response from the government, with the use of tanks, machine guns, and tear gas, resulted in the death of 2 veterans and injury to 1000 others. This led to decreased support for the Republican government under Hoover, who was blamed for both the Depression and mistreatment of veterans. Additionally, the Bonus March helped Roosevelt win the 1932 election. However, while the Bonus March was significant, it is important to note that there were other major consequences of the Depression. These included a huge increase in unemployment, poverty, homelessness, malnutrition, and the closure of banks and businesses, which led to a decline in production levels and overall economic instability.
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How significant a consequence of the Depression was the Bonus March? Explain your answer. Yes 25 000 army veterans marched on Washington demanding their Bonus payment during the Depression; Congress had refused to pass a Bonus bill allowing them the payment early; the peaceful protestors set up a camp outside the White House in a Hooverville; Hoover ordered the army to clear the Bonus Camp resulting in the use of tanks, machine guns and tear gas on the veterans; 2 were killed and 1000 were injured in the fighting; led to decreased support for the Republican government under Hoover who was blamed for the Depression and his treatment of the veterans; helped Roosevelt win the 1932 election, etc. No More significant – huge increase in unemployment up to 60% in some areas; 14 million unemployed by 1932 and charities and public relief schemes quickly ran out of money; lack of a benefits scheme led to poverty, homelessness; communities became dependent on soup kitchens and built shanty towns – Hoovervilles; malnutrition and disease increased as well as crime; in the rural areas many farmers could not repay mortgages and lost their farms and homes; saw migration of agricultural labourers to towns, especially black Americans; closure of banks and loss of confidence; closure of businesses and production levels dropped rapidly, etc.