Document uncovers details of a planned coup in the USA in 1933 by right-wing American businessmen

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The coup was aimed at toppling President Franklin D Roosevelt with the help of half-a-million war veterans. The plotters, who were alleged to involve some of the most famous families in America, (owners of Heinz, Birds Eye, Goodtea, Maxwell Hse & George Bush's Grandfather, Prescott) believed that their country should adopt the policies of Hitler and Mussolini to beat the great depression.

Mike Thomson investigates why so little is known about this biggest ever peacetime threat to American democracy

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Presenter, Mike Thomson outside the White House Washington DC

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The White House, Washington, seen through current security railings.

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Presenter, Mike Thomson outside US National Archives, Washington DC

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The White House, Washington, target of the Coup leaders

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Presenter, Mike Thomson inside the US National Archives in Washington

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Association of the Bar, New York City where Plotters called to account

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Professor William Becker of George Washington University