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American History Tellers
The Great Depression - Brother, Can You Spare a Dime | 2
Feb 27, 2019
During the Great Depression, public opinion turns against President Hoover and anti-foreigner attitudes are galvanized. The idea of mass immigration raids is used to scare immigrants from leaving the country. Tens of thousands of World War I veterans march to Washington, D.C. to demand wartime bonuses, leading to a deadly showdown. The podcast explores the devastating effects of the stock market crash, the temporary solution of selling apples, and the targeting of the Mexican immigrant community in Los Angeles.
38:53
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Quick takeaways
- The Bonus Army Eviction, in which World War I veterans demanding early payment of their cash bonuses were forcibly evicted by the military, further deepened public resentment and fueled political change during the Great Depression.
- President Herbert Hoover and Labor Secretary William Doak implemented strict immigration policies during the Great Depression, targeting Mexican, Chinese, and Japanese communities, as well as criminals and gangsters with European ties, which disrupted communities, exacerbated labor shortages, and contributed to public discontent.
Deep dives
The Bonus March: A Fight for Veterans' Benefits
In 1932, thousands of World War I veterans, known as the Bonus Expeditionary Force (BEF), marched to Washington, D.C. to demand early payment of their cash bonuses promised for their wartime service. Led by Walter Waters, the BEF grew from a few hundred veterans in Portland to an army of thousands. They set up a massive tent city and marched on the Capitol building, demanding action on a bill introduced by Congressman Wright Patman. Although the House passed the bill, it was rejected by the Senate. Despite the disappointment, the veterans refused to leave and maintained their encampment. It wasn't until a violent clash with the police that President Herbert Hoover ordered the military to evict the veterans, led by General Douglas MacArthur. The evictions marked a turning point, as Hoover's actions further deepened public resentment and fueled political change.
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