In 1934, an astonishing and deeply disturbing claim reached the American media and through it

the American public. There had been a plot to overthrow U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and

the U.S. government in general in favor of a fascist government backed by capitalist tycoons.

Supposedly hatched the previous year, 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, a man who had spent 33 years in service of the Marines. The Major General had fought

in almost every conflict of the late 19th and early 20th century.

He was a dashing hero, praised by the likes of Theodore Roosevelt, a devout Quaker, and he'd been awarded with so many medals, you could probably hear the dude coming from a mile away if you wore all of them at once.

In his post-Marine's career, he had spent time advocating for veterans.

In other words, he was about as legit as you could get for a source.

And when he made this very serious accusation, the media collectively laughed.

A conglomerate of prominent business owners wanting to seize power from FDR,

the man who favored policies that curb outsized corporate

influence? Ridiculous? Absurd. Hogwash. Poppycock. Baldor dash. Why would they do that? What motive

could they possibly have? Profits? Get out of here. But Smedley knew a coup when he saw one. This all sounded awfully familiar because he had made a

career of promoting American influence in other countries, dooming entire nations to decades under

dictatorship so American business interests could get what they wanted quickly and cheaply. Smedley had

firsthand experience with the conspirators side. The question was,

how well would he do on the other side? Could he stop the conspiracy if indeed there was one

to storm the White House and overthrow FDR? Words and ideas can change the world. I hated her,

but I wanted to love my mother.

I have a dream.

...