Question

How did Hoover deal with the Bonus Army? How did the American people feel about his response?

Answer 1

Hoover dispersed the Bonus Army with military force, prompting widespread public disapproval and damaging his reputation during the Great Depression.

Step-by-step explanation:

In 1932, during the Great Depression, the Bonus Army, comprised of World War I veterans, marched to Washington, D.C., to demand immediate payment of a bonus promised by the government for their wartime service. President Hoover responded by dispatching General Douglas MacArthur and the U.S. Army to forcibly remove the encamped veterans. The use of military force, including tear gas and cavalry charges, resulted in the eviction of the Bonus Army from their makeshift camps.

The American people, witnessing the eviction of unemployed and desperate veterans, largely disapproved of Hoover's decision to use military force. The perception that Hoover was callous and indifferent to the plight of the Bonus Army intensified public dissatisfaction with his presidency.

The event became a symbol of Hoover's perceived failure to address the economic hardships faced by the American people during the Great Depression. The negative sentiment contributed to Hoover's political downfall and the subsequent election of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932, marking a significant shift in public sentiment and government approach to addressing the economic challenges of the time.

Answer 2

Final Answer:

Hoover responded to the Bonus Army, a group of World War I veterans seeking early payment of bonuses, by ordering the eviction of the protesters from their Washington, D.C. encampment. The use of force, including the deployment of the military under General Douglas MacArthur, resulted in violence and the destruction of the veterans' camp. Hoover's handling of the situation was widely criticized, and the American people, including many veterans, viewed it negatively.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hoover's Response:

In 1932, during the Great Depression, the Bonus Army, comprising veterans demanding the early payment of bonuses promised for their wartime service, marched to Washington, D.C. President Hoover, concerned about the protest turning into a larger movement, ordered the eviction of the protesters from their makeshift camps near the Capitol.

General Douglas MacArthur, acting under Hoover's orders, led the military intervention. The eviction was forceful, with tear gas and tanks used to disperse the veterans. The encampment was eventually burned down, and the veterans were removed from the area.

Public Reaction:

The public, including many Americans sympathetic to the veterans' cause, viewed Hoover's response with disapproval. The use of military force against unemployed and desperate veterans was seen as excessive and heartless, particularly during the economic hardship of the Great Depression.

Hoover's handling of the Bonus Army incident contributed to a negative perception of his administration. The public sentiment further fueled the perception that Hoover was out of touch with the struggles of ordinary Americans during a time of economic crisis.

In summary, Hoover's forceful eviction of the Bonus Army had a detrimental impact on his public image. It underscored the challenges faced by his administration during the Great Depression and contributed to growing discontent among the American people.