For as long as this country has been in existence, its people, military leaders and its legislators have been favorably disposed to taking care of the men, and eventually the women, who served in the military. Veterans have long been considered a special welfare state of their own because of America’s long history of providing special provisions for them. Even before the American Revolution there have been provisions made for veterans, especially disabled veterans, like those who fought in the settler wars between the Indians and the French. The earliest recorded welfare measure for veterans was a Plymouth Colony law of 1636, which offered, “In case necessity require to send forces abroade, and there be not volunteers sufficient offered for the service, then be it lawful for the Governor and [his] assistants to presse [men into service] in his Majesties name…provided that if any that shall goe returne mamed and hurt, he shall be maytayned competently by the colony duringe his life,” (Levitan and Cleary, 1973: 6).
This analysis will review some of the welfare measures that were enacted by United States federal and state legislation from the time of the American Revolution until 1930. The different types of measures, which veterans and wars they were originally created for, and the evolution of these measures into a comprehensive federal welfare program will be discussed. A conclusion will address how these different measures have provided a long history and tradition in America of offering a welfare state to disabled veterans.
During the Revolutionary War, soldiers were offered pay and pensions to keep their spirits up and to keep the number of desertions down. Land grants were also offered to the soldiers to get them to stay in the service and remain as soldiers. However, there were also provisions made for those who had been hurt to the point of being disabled in the war. The plan called for a disability pe...