Part 7/9:
Hoover's presidency was marked by several critical missteps that solidified public displeasure. The response to the Bonus Army march in 1932, where World War I veterans camped in Washington, D.C., to demand the bonuses promised to them — set to be disbursed in 1945 — highlighted his disconnection. His decision to use military force to remove these veterans from the capital further eroded his public image, leading to widespread outrage and cast his administration in a harsh light.
Public sentiment shifted tremendously as Hoover’s optimistic rhetoric struggled to match the growing reality of poverty and despair across the nation. His belief that the economy would rebound quickly after the 1929 crash became increasingly untenable, further alienating the electorate.