Fictional March of the Unemployed During Great Depression

In 1932, unemployed veterans marched on Washington, DC demanding payment of a bonus due in the future. The "bonus marchers" were routed by the military on orders of President Hoover. The idea of World War I veterans who had come home as heroes being confronted by the army was a national shock and doomed whatever hope Hoover had for reelection. In this Hollywood version, made on the eve of the New Deal, a fictional president (under the influence of divine inspiration) visits the marchers and promises a public job program similar to job-creation programs of the actual New Deal. Note the explicit reference by one member of the crowd to past veteran service.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• veterans
• bonus-march
• Great-Depression
• New-Deal
• 1930s
• Hoover
• unemployment