Lesson Plans: Social Sciences
BONUS MARCH

Send questions and comments concerning this lesson to author
Linda M. McCubbins, Education Coordinator, MacArthur Memorial, Norfolk, Virignia.

Grade Levels:
    6 - 11

Objectives:
Accomplish as many of the applicable SOL as time allows.

Standards:
Social Sciences: 6.3, 6.10, 6.11; 9.9, 9.10; 10.11, 10.13, 10.14, 10.15; 11.8, 11.9, 11.15, 11.17.

Type of Program:

   Classroom activities developed by a teacher committee (funded through a grant from Jesse Ball du Pont Fund) involve students in a study of the "Great Depression" using the collection of primary sources in the archives of the General Douglas MacArthur Memorial. The focus is on the Bonus Army march on Washington DC in June 1932.

Length of Program: 4+ Hours to accomplish all aspects of the lesson.

Cost: Field Trips to the MacArthur Memorial can be taken without charge.

  1. If intending to take your class on a field trip to the MacArthur Memorial, please contact Linda McCubbins, MacArthur Memorial Education Coordinator, to arrange the date and time of the visit.
  2. Confirmation of the visit will be sent to the lead teacher, with pre-visit information and a parking map.

Background:

Bonus Army

   The Bonus Law of 1924 gave every World War I veteran a certificate that was to become payable in 1945. Because of hardships brought on by the "Great Depression," the veterans demanded that their bonuses be paid to them immediately. In an ill-fated attempt to pressure the U.S. Senate into granting payments, fifteen thousand, or so, of these veterans and their families, marched on Washington, DC. President Herbert Hoover called upon then Chief of Staff of the Army, General Douglas MacArthur, to drive the veterans and their families out of Washington, D.C. The nation reacted with great shock as they watched armed troops drive unarmed men, women, and children out of the nationís capital.

Procedure:

   Using documents and photos, students will analyze and interpret challenges to U.S. domestic policy during the 1930s. Students will also use documents and photos to examine reasons for the Bonus March on Washington, DC and the immediate and political consequences of the march. Suggested activities, copies of photographs, newspapers, maps, and other documents are available in the MacArthur Memorialís education department. To obtain copies of the documents and activities, call Linda McCubbins at 441-2965. If desired, original copies of the photographs may be obtained at cost from the MacArthur Memorial Archives

Extensions:
   Extensions may be written to reinforce the oral reporting skills and writing skills by asking the students to discuss and write about the things they learn in the activities.

Assessment:

   Assessment activities should be developed around the objectives outlined in the SOL covered in this field trip activity and appropriate to the various grade levels participating.

Suggested Web Sites:

http://www.nhmccd.edu/contracts/lrc/kc/decade30.html

CONTACT:
Linda McCubbins
Education Coordinator
General Douglas MacArthur Memorial
MacArthur Square
Norfolk, Virginia 23510

PHONE: (757) 441-2965
E-MAIL: macmem@norfolk.infi.net

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