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Death By Lightning: The Forgotten Assassination of James A. Garfield
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Netflix’s limited series, Death By Lightning, revisits the 1881 assassination of President James A. Garfield and the bizarre motivations of his killer, Charles J. Guiteau. The show, based on Candice Millard’s 2011 biography, Destiny of the republic, aims to resurrect Garfield’s story from ancient obscurity, but also highlights the strange circumstances surrounding his death.
The tragedy of a Brief Presidency
James A. Garfield assumed the presidency on March 4,1881,after a hard-fought campaign against Winfield Scott Hancock as reported by Britannica. A former Civil War general and Ohio congressman, Garfield was seen as a compromise candidate representing the Republican party’s diverse factions. He served for only 199 days before being shot by Charles J. Guiteau,making his presidency one of the shortest in U.S. history.
Guiteau, a disgruntled lawyer and office seeker, believed he was owed a diplomatic post in Paris for his support of Garfield’s campaign.When his requests were repeatedly denied, he became convinced that removing the President was a divine mission according to smithsonian Magazine. He stalked Garfield for weeks before finally shooting him at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, D.C., on July 2, 1881.
The Assassin: Charles J. Guiteau and His Delusions
charles J.Guiteau was a complex and deeply disturbed individual. Born in 1831,he held a variety of jobs throughout his life,including lawyer,preacher,and writer,but achieved little success in any of them as detailed by History.com. he was characterized by extreme self-importance, religious fanaticism, and a belief in his own destiny.
Guiteau’s delusion that he deserved a government position fueled his resentment towards Garfield. He saw himself as a key player in Garfield’s election and believed he was entitled to a reward. His repeated attempts to secure a position, coupled with his increasingly erratic behavior, led to his rejection by the administration. this rejection solidified his conviction that Garfield was an obstacle to his divine purpose.
Following the assassination attempt, Guiteau displayed a shocking lack of remorse, even boasting about his actions. He believed he would be hailed as a hero and even wrote a pamphlet titled “The Truth” defending his motives as documented in the Library of Congress’s collection of his papers.He was quickly apprehended and put on trial.
The Aftermath and the Fight for Garfield’s Life
The shooting of President Garfield shocked the nation. despite the initial severity of the wound, doctors initially believed Garfield would recover. However, the medical practices
