Final answer:
Herbert Hoover ordered the U.S. military to forcibly remove the Bonus Army, WWI veterans demanding early bonuses, resulting in violence and public outcry.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hoover used force against WWI veterans to disperse the Bonus Army protest, fearing civil unrest and prioritizing law and order during the economic crisis. The veterans, suffering greatly during the Great Depression, marched on Washington D.C. to demand the early payout of their promised bonuses.
President Herbert Hoover ordered the U.S. military to evict the veterans who had set up encampments, which resulted in violent confrontations, injuries, as well as the death of an infant. The public and media backlash against the forceful response further diminished Hoover's credibility and contributed to his loss in the subsequent presidential election.
The incident highlighted the deep societal impact of the Depression, as well as the political consequences of a leader's response to the challenges faced by a suffering populace.