The Business Plot, also called the Wall Street Putsch and the White House Putsch, was a political conspiracy in 1933 in the United States to overthrow the government of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and install Smedley Butleras dictator.Butler, a retired Marine Corps major general, testified under oath that wealthy businessmen were plotting to create a fascistveterans’ organization with him as its leader and use it in a coup d’état to overthrow Roosevelt. In 1934, Butler testified under oath before the United States House of Representatives Special Committee on Un-American Activities (the “McCormack–Dickstein Committee”) on these revelations.Although no one was prosecuted, the congressional committee final report said, “there is no question that these attempts were discussed, were planned, and might have been placed in execution when and if the financial backers deemed it expedient.”Early in the committee’s gathering of testimony most major news media dismissed the plot, with a New York Times editorial characterizing it as a “gigantic hoax”.When the committee’s final report was released, the Times said the committee “purported to report that a two-month investigation had convinced it that General Butler’s story of a Fascist march on Washington was alarmingly true” and “… also alleged that definite proof had been found that the much publicized Fascist march on Washington, which was to have been led by Major Gen. Smedley D. Butler, retired, according to testimony at a hearing, was actually contemplated”. The individuals involved all denied the existence of a plot.
While historians have questioned whether a coup was actually close to execution, most agree that some sort of “wild scheme” was contemplated and discussed
420_Braze_it on
Smedly Butler is an absolute legend. Roosevelt should have gone hard and had them all executed for treason instead of being a pussy and sweeping the whole plot under the rug.
MrMxylptlyk on
One thing I don’t understand is.. Why the hell did the business plot guys come to this guy of all people to do the plot?! Did he not have the reputation he did at that point? As an anti war quasi socialist guy??? Is this story even real?
Belkan-Federation95 on
I still think it’s some sort of hoax. Did they not pay attention to what Mussolini was doing over in Italy? The New Deal is literally watered down corporatism.
mossmanstonebutt on
All I’m gonna say is that regardless of if they succeeded or not, “smedly butler” is not a name that radiates authority
JackC1126 on
Gonna be honest I’m not too convinced the business plot was ever a serious plan. Nobody was ever convicted and Butler never even gave any names afaik. Could’ve been something that got blown out of proportion by the time it got to butler but we’ll never know probably.
Also, if you’re gunning for a fascist dictator don’t pick a guy named Smedley.
GeneralIronsides2 on
Is this the only time a coup in the us almost happened besides Jan 6?
7 Comments
The Business Plot, also called the Wall Street Putsch and the White House Putsch, was a political conspiracy in 1933 in the United States to overthrow the government of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and install Smedley Butleras dictator.Butler, a retired Marine Corps major general, testified under oath that wealthy businessmen were plotting to create a fascistveterans’ organization with him as its leader and use it in a coup d’état to overthrow Roosevelt. In 1934, Butler testified under oath before the United States House of Representatives Special Committee on Un-American Activities (the “McCormack–Dickstein Committee”) on these revelations.Although no one was prosecuted, the congressional committee final report said, “there is no question that these attempts were discussed, were planned, and might have been placed in execution when and if the financial backers deemed it expedient.”Early in the committee’s gathering of testimony most major news media dismissed the plot, with a New York Times editorial characterizing it as a “gigantic hoax”.When the committee’s final report was released, the Times said the committee “purported to report that a two-month investigation had convinced it that General Butler’s story of a Fascist march on Washington was alarmingly true” and “… also alleged that definite proof had been found that the much publicized Fascist march on Washington, which was to have been led by Major Gen. Smedley D. Butler, retired, according to testimony at a hearing, was actually contemplated”. The individuals involved all denied the existence of a plot.
While historians have questioned whether a coup was actually close to execution, most agree that some sort of “wild scheme” was contemplated and discussed
Smedly Butler is an absolute legend. Roosevelt should have gone hard and had them all executed for treason instead of being a pussy and sweeping the whole plot under the rug.
One thing I don’t understand is.. Why the hell did the business plot guys come to this guy of all people to do the plot?! Did he not have the reputation he did at that point? As an anti war quasi socialist guy??? Is this story even real?
I still think it’s some sort of hoax. Did they not pay attention to what Mussolini was doing over in Italy? The New Deal is literally watered down corporatism.
All I’m gonna say is that regardless of if they succeeded or not, “smedly butler” is not a name that radiates authority
Gonna be honest I’m not too convinced the business plot was ever a serious plan. Nobody was ever convicted and Butler never even gave any names afaik. Could’ve been something that got blown out of proportion by the time it got to butler but we’ll never know probably.
Also, if you’re gunning for a fascist dictator don’t pick a guy named Smedley.
Is this the only time a coup in the us almost happened besides Jan 6?