Summary of Jules Archer's The Plot to Seize the White House

By IRB Media

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Book Preview:

#1 Smedley Darlington Butler, a retired major general, spoke to the Bonus Army in July 1932. He told them that if they didn’t hang together, they weren’t worth a damn. He urged them to vote in November and punish those who were against them.

#2 The government, under orders from President Herbert Hoover, led troops in driving the Bonus Army out of Washington. They burned down their shacktowns, and some of them began to riot against Congress if they didn’t provide them with relief.

#3 In 1933, General Butler was visited by two veterans, Bill Doyle and Gerald C. MacGuire, who came to him with a plan to overthrow the American Legion’s leadership.

#4 When he heard that the President had rejected his name on the guest list for the Legion convention, he was puzzled. He didn't understand why the President would be so displeased with him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Jun 8, 2022
• ISBN: 9798822534063

IRB Media

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Insights on Jules Archer's The Plot to Seize the White House

Contents

Insights from Chapter 1

Insights from Chapter 2

Insights from Chapter 3

Insights from Chapter 4

Insights from Chapter 1

#1

Smedley Darlington Butler, a retired major general, spoke to the Bonus Army in July 1932. He told them that if they didn’t hang together, they weren’t worth a damn. He urged them to vote in November and punish those who were against them.

#2

The government, under orders from President Herbert Hoover, led troops in driving the Bonus Army out of Washington. They burned down their shacktowns, and some of them began to riot against Congress if they didn’t provide them with relief.

#3

In 1933, General Butler was visited by two veterans, Bill Doyle and Gerald C. MacGuire, who came to him with a plan to overthrow the American Legion’s leadership.

#4

When he heard that the President had rejected his name on the guest list for the Legion convention, he was puzzled. He didn't understand why the President would be so displeased with him.

#5

MacGuire and Doyle returned a month later to explain the new plan. They would have Butler speak at the convention, and the Legion would cheer loudly when he appeared in the spectators' gallery. The proceedings would be stampeded with cries for a speech that would not die down until Butler was asked to the platform.

#6

MacGuire explained that the plan had been funded by nine wealthy men, the biggest contributor putting up nine thousand dollars. They were simply concerned about helping veterans get their bonus and a square deal. Butler realized that these men were not poor Legionnaires, but rather wealthy businessmen.

#7

The American Legion was a veterans organization that was backed by industrialists. It had been organized in the 1920's with the purpose of looking after veterans' welfare and uniting them to defend America at home as they had abroad.

#8

MacGuire had claimed to speak for rank-and-file discontent with the Legion's bosses, but he was actually an agent for a top founder of the Legion