1932 the great depression is at the peak, 45,000 WWI veterans march to the front of the capitol building with one goal in mind. These veterans wanted compensation for what they lost during the Great War. Most were now living in poverty, unable to regain the income lost serving the country. A truly tragic part of U.S. History met with even worse decisions. To hold a stand against the Germans America needed soldiers, millions of soldiers. The only way to get the soldiers needed was to use selective service to help to boost military count. For the first time Service is seen as work instead of just a duty. African american troops fought fearlessly under the French flag and were finally treated as equal human beings. In the end 116,516 men were killed, 204,002 were wounded. …show more content…
They were talking about using tanks, machine guns, and even gas, but the Bonus Army was more than ready for them. As word spread the number of those outside the Capitol Building only grew. White and African American veterans stood together to get help from the government as they had when they responded during the war. After 2 weeks the House of Representatives passed the Bonus Bill. Although they won this battle a bigger one awaits them in the senate. They began to set up their last camp in the muddy flats, there was a city of small tents and huts. The Government began to see danger in the of the Bonus Army. The Senate denied the Bonus Bill and the army was extremely disappointed. They couldn’t get the veterans to go home because they didn't have a home that's exactly what they were fighting for. The police tried to evict the Army and then it quickly got violent. 200 Calvary Men went with tanks and armored vehicles and started throwing tear gas and smoke bombs and began jabbing them with bayonets. Hoover tells them not to cross the bridge but Macarthur does not listen and advances his troops to destroy and set a blaze there