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 the president's election.
Charles J. Guiteau’s Campaign Efforts
Before the 1880 presidential election, 39-year-old lawyer Charles J. Guiteau distributed printed copies of his speech to anyone willing to listen. Originally, this speech endorsed the clear frontrunner at the Republican National Convention: former President Ulysses S. Grant. Grant aimed for a third nomination but lacked the necessary votes.
Instead, James A. Garfield, recently elected as Ohio's senator, emerged as the alternative. Guiteau did not favor either candidate personally but replaced Grant’s name with Garfield’s in his speech, believing his words were persuasive enough to help either win.
The Election Outcome and Guiteau’s Expectation
Garfield narrowly won the presidency, defeating Democratic Civil War General Winfield Scott Hancock. Following the victory, Guiteau expected a reward for his efforts.
“I hereby make a formal application for the Austrian Mission,” Guiteau wrote to President Garfield and incoming Secretary of State James G. Blaine. “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 had any personal knowledge of Guiteau.
Summary
This series highlights how Guiteau’s misguided sense of entitlement and obscurity led to tragedy despite his belief that he had earned a political reward.
Would you like the summary to be more formal or conversational?