During the Bonus March, what happened when the veterans camped in Washington in 1932?

• A. The marchers were granted immediate bonuses by Congress
• B. The Army used tear gas, causing injuries and deaths
• C. They returned home peacefully without incident
• D. They were paid cash bonuses on the spot

Answer: (B)

How the government responded to a civilian protest during the Great Depression. During the Bonus Army episode, thousands of veterans camped in Washington to press for early payment of their World War I bonuses. The administration did not grant immediate payment, and as the encampment continued, the Army was ordered in to clear the area. Troops led by General Douglas MacArthur used tear gas to disperse the protesters, and the operation caused injuries and deaths among the marchers. This forceful eviction stood in contrast to peaceful resolution and cash-on-the-spot payments, and it shaped public perception of the Hoover administration during the Depression.