The Bonus Army

The podcast episode presented by Eddie from The Leftish Agenda delves into a lesser-known chapter of American history—the Bonus Army. The episode takes listeners through a riveting tale of World War I veterans who demanded early payment of their bonuses during the Great Depression. The podcast illuminates the veterans' march to Washington D.C., their makeshift camps, their support from the public, and the subsequent dark turn marked by their violent eviction authorized by President Hoover. Consequences of this event led to an immense public outcry and eventually triggered political fallout, with President Hoover losing popularity and Franklin D. Roosevelt, promising relief and recovery, winning the 1932 elections. Veterans finally received their bonuses under Roosevelt's administration in 1936. The episode concludes by emphasizing the event's legacy and its lessons about the importance of empathy, compassion, and governmental accountability that remain highly relevant today.