Gen. Smedley Butler and the Great American Fascist Conspiracy,A popular public figure during the 192

Gen. Smedley Butler and the Great American Fascist Conspiracy,A popular public figure during the 1920’s up to his death in 1940, Major Gen. Smedley Butler was certainly someone who was considered trustworthy and credible.  A Marine Corps Major General, he was a veteran of the Spanish American War, Philippine War, and World War I.  He was served in American military actions in the Philippines, France, Central America, and China.  At the time he was America’s most decorated serviceman, having been awarded TWO Medals of Honor.  So it came as quite a shock went in 1933 Gen. Smedley Butler testified in front of Congress claiming that a secret fascist cabal of wealthy industrialists, businessmen, and bankers were plotting to overthrow the government.At the time America was deep in the throws of the Great Depression and Franklin D. Roosevelt had recently been elected president.  FDR’s New Deal programs, an attempt to stem the tide of the Great Depression through social spending programs and financial reforms was met with mixed reactions by the American public.  Many saw the New Deal as much needed relief from the Depression, others believed that the New Deal was an attempt to install socialism and communism in America.  It was at this time that, according to Butler, he was approached by a number of wealthy and powerful business leaders with a proposition.  The men claimed that their goal was to overthrow FDR with a military coup and install fascist government similar to what Mussolini had created in Italy.  They had amassed a secret army of 500,000 men, mostly World War I veterans and former military men, and were prepared to storm Washington and take over the government.  All they needed was a commander, and they wanted Butler for the job.Most journalists of the time dismissed Butler’s claims as nothing more than a goofy hoax.  However many people took his claims seriously. Imagine today if a high ranking, well respected member of the military or government stepped forward claiming that a secret Nazi conspiracy was afoot to take over the United States.  Investigations revealed no evidence to support Butler’s claims.  It was his word against theirs.  Today what is know known as the “Business Conspiracy” has become one of those titillating moments in history.  Was therer really such a secret conspiracy to install a fascist government in the US?  Peashooter personally has serious doubts.  Foremost, why would a secret organization of fascist business leaders turn to Smedley Butler for leadership?  Despite, or perhaps because of his military career, Butler was a staunch anti-imperialist who criticized America’s military interventions in the early 20th century as meaningless wars fought to benefit big business and the bankers.  Butler became famous traveling across the United States, giving speeches denouncing American foreign policy and corporatism.  So it would seem odd that they would offer command of a fascist army to him.  It would be like the Ku Klux Klan asking Jesse Jackson to become their next Grand Wizard.  Regardless of where you stand on the issue, it is certainly an interesting tidbit from the little known parts of America’s history. -- source link

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