Smedley Butler and the 1930s Plot to Overthrow the President

[kentuck]

https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Navigation/Community/Arcadia-and-THP-Blog/September-2018/Smedley-Butler-and-the-1930s-Plot-to-Overthrow-the

(snip)
In 1934, a colossal claim reached the American news media: There had been a plot to overthrow President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in favor of a fascist government. Supposedly in the works since 1933, the claims of the conspiracy came from a very conspicuous and reliable source: Major General Smedley Butler, one of the most decorated war heroes of his time. Even more unbelievable were his claims of who was involved in the plot – respected names like Robert Sterling Clark, Grayson M.P. Murphy, and Prescott Bush. While news media at the time mocked Butler’s story, recently discovered archives have revealed the truth behind Major General Butler’s claims.

(snip)
The abandonment of the gold standard was a major sticking point for many high-ranking officials and bankers in the country during 1933. Although there were several recognized issues with money backed by gold (such as dependency on gold production, and short-term price instabilities), many bankers were fearful that their gold-backed loans would not be paid back in full by the President’s new policies.

The departure from the gold standard just added to other concerns about FDR’s policies, particularly his plans to provide subsidizations and jobs for the poor, which businessmen and conservative politicians alike took as an indication of Roosevelt's socialist leanings, or (even worse) a communist. Butler could sense this disgruntlement when he asked to meet with MacGuire’s superior, and found himself speaking with Robert Sterling Clark, an heir to the Singer Sewing fortune. Clark was much more upfront than MacGuire, telling Butler that his real interest was in preserving the gold standard, even claiming that he “had $30 million, and was willing to spend half of the $30 million to save the other half.”

(snip)
These various observations led MacGuire to believe that the only way to save the country from FDR’s “ill-fated” policies was to create a military state run by former servicemen, with Roosevelt serving as a figurehead, rather than a true leader. Butler asked what MacGuire wanted from him, and was told he would be the ideal leader of these veterans, promising him an army of 500,000 men and financial backing from an assortment of rich businessmen, so long as he would be willing to lead a peaceful march on the White House to displace Roosevelt.

[John1956PA]

1. The plot was, in part, inspiration for the novel (and movie) "Seven Days in May."

President John F. Kennedy read the novel in 1962 and was said to have prevailed on his Hollywood contacts to have the story made into a movie. A movie based on the novel was filmed. It was released in 1964, after JFK's death.

[Doc Sportello]

2. I am a big fan of the movie and did not know that

It is a great film, one of the best about politics ever made. And some said it couldn't happen here. Thanks for the info.

[underpants]

3. Haven't seen that one.

Thanks.

[mitch96]

4. Butler was right...

[UpInArms]

5. Butler is on my hero list

[albacore]

6. Two Medals of Honor...

"War is a Racket"

[Polybius]

7. Well, well, well, Prescott Bush

I'm shocked I tell ya.

[twin_ghost]

8. This is a conspiracy theory peddled by Alex Jones and His ilk.

Smedley was an unstable man that developed dementia when he made this conspiracy theory statement.

[mitch96]

9. "conspiracy theory peddled by Alex Jones "... consider the source...nt