How significant a consequence of the Depression was the Bonus March? Explain your answer.
Level
IGCSE
Year Examined
2023
Topic
THE UNITED STATES, 1919–41
👑Complete Model Essay
How significant a consequence of the Depression was the Bonus March? Explain your answer.
The Significance of the Bonus March
The Bonus March of 1932 was a significant event in the Depression, highlighting the plight of veterans and the government's response to the crisis. However, while it contributed to the growing discontent with President Hoover and the Republican Party, its significance should not overshadow the wider devastating consequences of the Depression on American society.
The march involved around 25,000 World War I veterans demanding immediate payment of their promised war bonuses. These bonuses were not due until 1945, but the veterans, many unemployed and struggling to survive, desperately needed financial assistance. The peaceful protest turned violent when Hoover, fearing a potential uprising, ordered the army to clear the Bonus Camp. The use of tanks, tear gas, and machine guns against veterans and their families shocked the nation. Images of the event, captured in newspapers and newsreels, portrayed Hoover as callous and uncaring, further eroding public confidence in his leadership. The Bonus March undoubtedly contributed to his defeat in the 1932 presidential election, paving the way for Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal.
However, to argue that the Bonus March was the most significant consequence of the Depression is an oversimplification. The Depression had a far more profound and widespread impact on American life. Unemployment skyrocketed, reaching a staggering 25% nationally by 1933, with some areas experiencing rates as high as 60%. Millions lost their jobs, homes, and life savings. Poverty and homelessness became rampant, leading to the emergence of shantytowns known as "Hoovervilles," a stark symbol of the era's desperation. Charities and local governments were quickly overwhelmed, unable to cope with the sheer scale of the crisis. Malnutrition and disease increased, particularly among the most vulnerable. Crime rates soared as desperation drove people to theft and violence. Farmers, already struggling with low crop prices, faced foreclosures and the loss of their livelihoods. Many, particularly African Americans, were forced to migrate in search of work, often facing discrimination and hardship.
The Depression also had a profound psychological impact. The loss of confidence in the American dream and the future was widespread. People felt betrayed by the government and the economic system that had failed them so drastically. This sense of disillusionment and despair had long-lasting effects on American society, shaping attitudes and policies for years to come.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the Bonus March was a significant event that exposed the plight of veterans and contributed to Hoover's downfall, it was only one aspect of the wider tragedy of the Great Depression. The Depression's impact on unemployment, poverty, health, crime, and the overall social fabric of America was far more profound and enduring. The Bonus March served as a powerful symbol of the era's desperation and the government's shortcomings, but it was the multifaceted and devastating consequences of the Depression itself that truly defined its significance in American history.
Sources:
Brinkley, Alan. "American History: A Survey." McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.
McPherson, James M. "Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era." Oxford University Press, 1998.
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Here is an essay outline addressing the significance of the Bonus March in the context of the Great Depression.
I. Introduction
The Great Depression was a period of immense hardship and societal upheaval in the United States. The Bonus March, a protest by World War I veterans demanding early payment of their promised bonuses, unfolded amidst this tumultuous period. While the Bonus March was a stark and tragic event, its significance as a consequence of the Depression should be considered in relation to the broader economic and social calamities of the era.
II. Body Paragraph 1: The Significance of the Bonus March
The Bonus March vividly illustrated the desperation and discontent that permeated American society during the Depression. The veterans' demands for early bonus payments reflected the widespread financial strain and unemployment plaguing the nation. The government's harsh response, using military force against its own citizens, further eroded public trust in President Hoover and the Republican Party. The images of violence against veterans shocked the nation and contributed to a sense of national despair and anger.
III. Body Paragraph 2: The Broader Consequences of the Depression
While the Bonus March was a significant event, the Depression's consequences extended far beyond this single protest. The Depression's most profound impact was the staggering level of unemployment, reaching unprecedented levels and devastating families across the nation. The lack of a social safety net left millions struggling to survive, relying on charity or meager government assistance. The closure of businesses and banks further crippled the economy, creating a downward spiral of poverty and hardship.
IV. Body Paragraph 3: Comparing the Significance
The Bonus March, while dramatic, primarily impacted the political landscape and public opinion towards the government. The broader economic consequences of the Depression, including mass unemployment, poverty, and business closures, had a far more devastating and long-lasting impact on American society. The Bonus March symbolized the failures of the government to address the Depression's hardships, while the economic realities of the Depression represented a fundamental crisis for millions of Americans.
V. Conclusion
The Bonus March was a tragic and significant event that exposed the raw emotions and desperation of the Great Depression. However, the broader economic consequences of the Depression, including widespread unemployment, poverty, and the collapse of industries, were far more significant in shaping the lives of Americans and the trajectory of the nation. The Bonus March served as a potent symbol of the government's shortcomings, but it was the Depression's economic devastation that left a lasting legacy on the United States.
Extracts from Mark Schemes
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.