The Whitehouse Coup (1933) 3 of 3

The "Business Plot" (also the Plot Against FDR and the White House Putsch) was an alleged political conspiracy in 1933 wherein wealthy businessmen and corporations plotted a coup détat to overthrow United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 1934, the Business Plot was publicly revealed by retired Marine Corps Major General Smedley Butler testifying to the McCormack-Dickstein Congressional Committee. In his testimony, Butler claimed that a group of men had approached him as part of a plot to overthrow Roosevelt in a military coup. One of the alleged plotters, Gerald MacGuire, vehemently denied any such plot. In their final report, the Congressional committee supported Butler's allegations of the existence of the plot, but no prosecutions or further investigations followed, and the matter was mostly forgotten.

On July 17, 1932, thousands of World War I veterans converged on Washington, D.C., set up tent camps, and demanded immediate payment of bonuses due them according to the Adjusted Service Certificate Law of 1924. This "Bonus Army" was led by Walter W. Waters, a former Army sergeant. The Army was encouraged by an appearance from retired Marine Corps Major General Smedley Butler, who had considerable influence over the veterans, being one of the most popular military figures of the time. A few days after Butler's arrival, President Herbert Hoover ordered the marchers removed, and their camps were destroyed by US Army cavalry troops under the command of General Douglas MacArthur.
Butler, although a self-described Republican, responded by supporting Roosevelt in that year's election.

In a 1995 History Today article Clayton Cramer argued that the devastation of the Great Depression had caused many Americans to question the foundations of liberal democracy. "Many traditionalists, here and in Europe, toyed with the ideas of Fascism and National Socialism; many liberals dallied with Socialism and Communism." Cramer argues that this explains why some American business leaders viewed fascism as a viable system to both preserve their interests and end the economic woes of the Depression.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_Plot

***audio is available for free using Realplayer at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/document/document_20070723.shtml

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[abola2121]

I can't believe he let those Wall Street traitors go. FDR's actions were borderline treason. Prescott Bush and the bankers should've been shot dead.

[getorphan]

They have become more clever since the 30's. They control both parties and all media. This is a very important series

[Samantha30090]

No, they don't control both parties. I think you're missing the entire point, here. The Democrats make legislation for the people, then and now. Republicans vote against that legislation for corporations, then and now. Please educate yourself and listen to the documentary.

[coolwhatup3]

And people think fascism can't rise in the U.S. I tell people this and they call me a conspiricy theorist. I'm a communist, not a Marxist, and this is why I hate Corporations, Banks, and money. I want to move out of this country, somewhere, anywhere, just not here. The passing of the Senate Bill 1867 is the final step toward making the U.S. a fascist republic.

[Bren3485]

@mjeshaw Well said.

[StunnedByStupidity]

During the height of the British empire they had around 100,000 troops - hmmm. And the tea party are ITCHING for a fascist take over...

[mjeshaw]

"This is the nation that describes itself as the land of the free, the home of democracy." and Fox News calls itself "fair and balanced" just as the Nazi party was "socialist"! Corporate powers have realised that, rather than risking a coup, it's safer to keep a nominal democracy while subverting the reality. Western "democracies" are plutocracies whose role is to draw up the laws which allow corporations to do what they want - money moves across borders, but the poor aren't allowed to follow.

[skydome29]

America why do you settle for political deals? It was done in Japan with unit 731, and you do it again here (there's plenty more but w/ only 500 characters...) This is one of my grievances with capitalism; as justice cannot be fully done, especially with the underhandedness and complex interconnections of white collar crime.

[Licmycat]

No wonder they deleted all those e-mails.

[smujismuj]

There would have been no need for the New Deal if international banking interests, via the "Federal" Reserve, hadn't destroyed the economy.

[mastior]

@edrubangura Socialism, Bartering is the best. How many eggs for Heart Surgery? EU has had every concept of government. NON worked yet capitalism is flourishing in Russia, China, Japan, UK. Creates LOTS of CASH Russia loves capitalism, the babes love it. WHY are all RUSHING to become American, USA is a happy country. If it wasn't for USA Capitalism during WW2 what language do you think you'd be speaking NOW? You best be thankful USA entered WW2 UK almost conceded to Hitler

[mastior]

@edrubangura MMMMMM that's what Illuminate is afraid of, dependency. Not to late, one day people will be walking up gangster politician driveways. Genocide for Greed sacrificing our ancestors to date. It's basically special interests commissioning militaries for Corp Monopolies at Tax Payer expense.

They fake a war create a reason for Hate condoning a military force killing spree till they own the natural resources. THOSE crowds in UK could easily over taken the BOBBYS, GHANDI did it unarmed