Bonus Army in DC, Great Depression, 1932 FDR Pres. Campaign & Election v. Hoover (R)

[appalachiablue]

In the film, Maj. Gen. Smedley Butler speaks to desperate WWI Veterans camped in DC summer 1932 during the height of the Great Depression. Many veterans had been unemployed since the Stock Market Crash of 1929. The next year Butler exposed to Congress the 1933 Business Plot by US industrialists to overthrow FDR in his first term as President.
Wiki, Bonus Army 1932
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonus_Army

FDR's first presidential Campaign v. Pres. Herbert Hoover (R) in 1932 and Election as president, the first of four terms for Roosevelt. When FDR ran for president in 1932 he was Governor of New York.

[RufusTFirefly]

1. Great stuff. We can thank the Bonus Army's courage and FDR's wisdom for the GI Bill

Roosevelt clearly sought to avoid the debacle of 1932's shameful treatment of WWI veterans by creating a clear path to advancement for those returning from the war. So, in a very real sense, we can thank the Bonus Army (and their ardent defender, two-time Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, Gen. Smedley Darlington Butler) for the creation of the American middle class.

Given what Butler also did to almost single-handedly thwart a plot for Roosevelt's overthrow, he is perhaps one of the most consequential figures in 20th century American history. And yet, sadly, most American have never even heard of him.



Thanks for posting, appalachiablue!

[jtuck004]

2. I've wondered if leaving newspapers with stories about historical figures, maybe adult comic book

style of illustration, pointers to more info. Just leave them laying around, like IWW folks used to stick sayings up with cigarette papers. I thought newsprint might be cheap, easy to work with.

You said "And yet, sadly, most American have never even heard of him" < There are active campaigns to make sure people don't learn about such things, especially at younger ages when the windows of their mind and heart are most open, flowing.

Any efforts to fight back are mostly directed at the choir, which is no fun. And mostly ineffectual, as your comment notes.

The IWW fought the city here (Spokane) in a free speech battle, asked people from across the country to come fill the jails, because workers were being fleeced and the city was on the side of the criminals. Their first songbook was written by a spokane group.

Virtually nobody knows about it here.

People can't consider what they don't know or have never heard of. And what they have is so distorted as to cause mistakes when it is relied on for judgement.

[RufusTFirefly]

5. Excellent, thoughtful post. And interesting that you suggest comic books

Salon co-founder David Talbot and artist Spain Rodriguez did just that by telling Butler's story in graphic form in a book called Devil Dog: The Amazing True Story of the Man Who Saved America.

[jtuck004]

8. Thank you for the link. n/t

[RufusTFirefly]

9. De nada. At the very least, the book is an interesting experiment.

[jtuck004]

10. I come from a time when experiments in education were the rule. Now, it seems, they just

want to make money from the mice.

I've always found my better training at the schools, but education elsewhere.

I try to, periodically, share what I think might be ignored otherwise.

[RufusTFirefly]

11. I applaud you efforts.

Great ideas often emerge when people have the courage to try something different.

Or, as RFK used to say (channeling G.B. Shaw):

[appalachiablue]

12. Thank you. A great American. What could have been-

~ If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace. ~ Thomas Paine.

[appalachiablue]

4. So true Firefly. The determination and courage of Bonus veterans in that time of desperation

combined with FDR's leadership, liberalism and foresight led to the strengthening of working people in America and the growth of the largest and greatest middle class the world has ever known.

Smedley Butler's encouragement and support for the World War I veterans camped in Washington to seek assistance who were called by critics tramps, criminals and communists, attests to the strength of his personal convictions, and his honor and heroism in both military service and civilian life.

Butler's lengthy US Marine Corps career of bravery and valor around the world and outlined in his 1935 book, 'War is a Racket' should be studied by many. As well, the fortitude and bravery he displayed in refusing to collude with the Business Plot conspirators in 1933 warrants high recognition. A unique and great American, Butler should and will receive rightful recognition by the American people.

In these changing times I sincerely hope that Americans can summon the kind of courage and unity possessed by the Bonus Army and other generations to resolve the challenges of today and tomorrow.
Only a coward dies a thousand deaths, as my father often said.~ Be well and keep the faith!

~ Wiki, Maj. Gen. SMEDLEY BUTLER, life and career, Bonus Army 1932, Business Plot of 1933.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smedley_Butler

[RufusTFirefly]

6. Yes, Butler was a truth-teller and a genuine American hero

He recognized his country and the Constitution were more important than a treasonous plot from which he was destined to benefit in terms of both power and profit.

[navarth]

13. re: the 'business plot'

A few things I don't see mentioned here that are noteworthy: the names of the plotters (I believe Prescott Bu$h was one?) and also the disappointing fact that FDR LET THEM GET AWAY.

[appalachiablue]

14. PB sounds familiar. What could FDR have done about their criminal action?

[navarth]

15. well the word 'criminal' suggests a lot of things he could have done

doesn't it? It would have been an opportunity to have some DOJ people perp-walk the bunch of them into prison I would think. He had the goods on them! These fuckers would have overthrown the U.S. Government. Seems pretty actionable to me.

[appalachiablue]

16. They were treasonous criminals who should have been charged & put away as he well knew.

What that would have done to the country in such a perilous, unstable time is unknown, esp. with the power and influence of that group. Given the times I'd think FDR, newly elected was eager to begin work stabilizing the economy as priority. A public trial and sending the industrialists to prison couldn't have been concealed. Or a more covert reprisal might have been possible.

Even banish the crooks to fascist Europe where they belonged, or SA but their immense US business holdings were problematic. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Many scenarios. Penalizing them with monetary fines. That would have stung and helped the treasury. Perhaps more truth will surface one day, who knows.

[navarth]

17. I can find no fault with your reasoning

nor with your anger. I share it.

[navarth]

3. Gen. Smedley Butler resides in my Pantheon of Heroes.

And he always will.

Thanks for posting this. It is to be hoped that this info will eventually filter through to all the low-information voters (morons).

[appalachiablue]

7. For sure. What a true and honorable American hero Butler was. People must start learning!