The Real Story Behind Netflix

The new limited series portrays the brief 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 copies of his speech to anyone willing to listen. The speech originally supported the favorite candidate for the Republican National Convention: former President Ulysses S. Grant.

Grant, seeking a third term, lacked enough votes to secure the nomination. Instead, James A. Garfield, recently elected as Ohio’s senator, became the alternative choice. Guiteau was indifferent about which Ohioan Civil War officer was nominated, so he replaced Grant’s name with Garfield’s, confident that his speech was persuasive enough to elect either man.

Garfield’s Election and Guiteau’s Expectation

Garfield narrowly defeated Democratic General Winfield Scott Hancock in the presidential race. Following the victory, Guiteau believed he deserved recognition.

“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, Guiteau’s request for a diplomatic post abroad was never fulfilled.

Reasons for the Appointment Refusal

Guiteau’s application faced critical issues. Most notably, neither Garfield nor his ally James G. Blaine had any knowledge of who Guiteau actually was.

This lack of recognition undermined Guiteau’s expectations and contributed to his eventual drastic actions against the president.

Guiteau believed his words were so brilliant and so persuasive that they could get either candidate elected.

Author’s summary: The series focuses on Charles Guiteau’s misguided efforts to claim a political reward for Garfield’s election, leading to a tragic presidential assassination.

Smithsonian Magazine — 2025-11-06