Bonus Army Riots in Washington, D.C.
7/1932
Add to Favorites:
Add all page(s) of this document to activity:
In 1932, during the Great Depression, tens of thousands of impoverished World War I veterans traveled to Washington, DC. They called themselves the Bonus Expeditionary Force (BEF). The public called them the Bonus Army. They came to the nation’s capital to demonstrate for immediate payment of their military bonus certificates that weren’t redeemable until 1945.
This army, unlike the U.S. military, was integrated. Living and protesting together in harmony, therefore, the Bonus Army proved that the color line was not as indelible as many at that time believed.
The payment of the bonus was not approved by Congress. With that, many believed the marchers should admit defeat and return home. But the marchers vowed to remain. Police tried to clear the marchers but were unsuccessful. The military took over under the command of Douglas MacArthur. They marched in lobbing gas grenades and burning down shanties lining the streets.
This film shows DC policemen dragging veterans from a Pennsylvania Avenue warehouse and loading them onto trucks. Cavalry and tank units patrol the city. Shacks used by the Bonus Army are burned. Veterans are routed by tear gas. It also shows the Bonus Army camp facilities at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, established after the marchers were evicted from Washington, DC.
In 1936, Congress finally passed a bill giving the veterans their bonus. The Bonus Army had achieved its objective. Unfortunately, the bill was designed with loopholes that allowed state administrators to deny many of its benefits to Black veterans. Most Black Americans were barred from the home loans and educational opportunities that helped build a thriving middle class for white America. While Black and white members of the Bonus Army were united in their cause, ultimately they did not benefit equally from their efforts.
Much of this video is silent, including the beginning. You can also watch it in our main National Archives online catalog.
This army, unlike the U.S. military, was integrated. Living and protesting together in harmony, therefore, the Bonus Army proved that the color line was not as indelible as many at that time believed.
The payment of the bonus was not approved by Congress. With that, many believed the marchers should admit defeat and return home. But the marchers vowed to remain. Police tried to clear the marchers but were unsuccessful. The military took over under the command of Douglas MacArthur. They marched in lobbing gas grenades and burning down shanties lining the streets.
This film shows DC policemen dragging veterans from a Pennsylvania Avenue warehouse and loading them onto trucks. Cavalry and tank units patrol the city. Shacks used by the Bonus Army are burned. Veterans are routed by tear gas. It also shows the Bonus Army camp facilities at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, established after the marchers were evicted from Washington, DC.
In 1936, Congress finally passed a bill giving the veterans their bonus. The Bonus Army had achieved its objective. Unfortunately, the bill was designed with loopholes that allowed state administrators to deny many of its benefits to Black veterans. Most Black Americans were barred from the home loans and educational opportunities that helped build a thriving middle class for white America. While Black and white members of the Bonus Army were united in their cause, ultimately they did not benefit equally from their efforts.
Much of this video is silent, including the beginning. You can also watch it in our main National Archives online catalog.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer.
National Archives Identifier: 24730
Full Citation: Motion Picture 111-H-1225; Bonus Army Riots in Washington, D.C., July 1932; 7/1932; Historical Films, ca. 1914 - ca. 1936; Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, Record Group 111; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/bonus-army-riots, June 14, 2025]Rights: Copyright Not Evaluated Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
