Smedley Butler

Jonathan Katz Talks "Gangsters of Capitalism" with Chris Hayes

Jonathan Katz discusses his new biography of Smedley Butler, the Marine officer who pivoted from leading the fight for American empire to blowing the whistle on an alleged coup against FDR in 1934. 

Why Do We Know So Little about the 1930s Coup Attempt against FDR?

by Sally Denton

"In a climate of conspiracies and intrigues, and against the backdrop of charismatic dictators in the world such as Hitler and Mussolini, the sparks of anti-Rooseveltism ignited into full-fledged hatred."

Why Smedley Butler Turned Against US Empire

by Patrick Iber

After leading Marines to secure the American empire in the wake of the Spanish-American War, Major Smedley Butler by 1935 repented and called himself "a racketeer for capitalism." 

Wealthy Bankers And Businessmen Plotted To Overthrow FDR. A Retired General Foiled It

by Gillian Brockell

Major General Smedley Butler (USMC) told Congress in 1933 that a group of business leaders had asked him to lead a coup against FDR. He insisted the plot was serious and credible. Has this episode faded from awareness because it was a hoax, or because Roosevelt and Congress all wanted to conceal how close it came to succeeding?