Coxey's Army of 1894 and the Bonus Army of 1932

What were Coxey's Army of 1894 and the Bonus Army of 1932 demanding?

Were they asking for a specific form of compensation?

Answer:

Both Coxey's Army of 1894 and the Bonus Army of 1932 marched on Washington DC to demand cash payment redemption of their service certificates.

Coxey's Army of 1894 and the Bonus Army of 1932 were groups of unemployed individuals who took part in mass protests in the United States to demand economic relief during times of financial crisis. These movements were comprised of veterans and workers who were struggling due to the lack of jobs and economic instability.

Coxey's Army, led by Jacob Coxey, marched on Washington, D.C. in 1894 to advocate for a public works program funded by the federal government. They were demanding the issuance of $500 million in legal tender notes to finance jobs for the unemployed. The group believed that creating jobs through public works projects would alleviate the economic hardships faced by many Americans during the Panic of 1893.

Similarly, the Bonus Army, also known as the Bonus Expeditionary Force, was a group of World War I veterans who gathered in the nation's capital in 1932 to request early cash payment for their service certificates. These certificates were promised to them for their military service but were not due to be paid out until 1945. The veterans, facing financial difficulties during the Great Depression, sought immediate relief through the payment of their bonuses.

The demands of both Coxey's Army and the Bonus Army reflect the struggles faced by marginalized groups during periods of economic hardship and the desire for government intervention to provide relief and support.