The Real Story Behind Netflix
The new limited series portrays the short presidency of the 20th commander in chief, who was fatally shot by Charles J. Guiteau, a lawyer convinced he had secured Garfield's election.
Charles J. Guiteau’s Campaign Efforts
Before the 1880 presidential election, 39-year-old lawyer Charles J. Guiteau distributed printed versions of his speech to anyone willing to listen. Initially, it endorsed the clear favorite at the Republican National Convention: former President Ulysses S. Grant. However, Grant lacked enough support to secure the nomination for a third term.
Instead, James A. Garfield, recently elected as Ohio’s senator, emerged as the alternative candidate. Guiteau didn’t mind which Ohioan Civil War officer was chosen; he replaced Grant’s name with Garfield’s in his speech, confident his persuasive words could elect either one.
Garfield’s Election and Guiteau’s Expectation
Garfield narrowly defeated Democratic Civil War General Winfield Scott Hancock to win the presidency. Following the victory, Guiteau expected to be rewarded for his efforts.
“I hereby make a formal application for the Austrian Mission,” Guiteau wrote to Garfield and incoming Secretary of State James G. “I feel I have a right to do it on account of my services during the canvass.”
However, the appointment never materialized. The problem was that neither Garfield nor Blaine knew who Guiteau was.
Summary
Guiteau’s belief that his campaign efforts would earn him a diplomatic post was misplaced, leading to tragic consequences in Garfield’s brief presidency.