A Presidential Historian Explains What to Know Before Watching 'Death by Lightning'
The series explores the assassination of President James A. Garfield, bringing attention to rarely featured presidents like Chester A. Arthur and Garfield himself. Normally, presidential history highlights a fixed group of iconic figures—Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Jackson, the Roosevelts, Kennedy, Reagan—while less famous leaders like Arthur are often overlooked.
Netflix's limited series Death by Lightning offers a rare spotlight on these two presidents, making it a notable innovation in how American history is portrayed.
Context of the 1880s
The era following Reconstruction was marked by political corruption and moral decline. James Abram Garfield emerged during this tumultuous period as a unique figure: a former classics professor from Ohio, Civil War hero, and nine-term congressman. He led the 42nd Ohio Infantry and showed both bravery and strong principles at the Battle of Chickamauga.
Garfield combined intellectual prowess with public duty, able to translate Greek for fun and recite Psalms by heart. He believed that intellect was a form of service to the public.
“We should not nominate a man whom we can carry, but one who can carry us.”
At the 1880 Republican convention in Chicago, Garfield was not even a candidate initially. Yet, after thirty-six ballots, he emerged as a compromise nominee, demonstrating unexpected political strength and broad support.
Summary
The series offers an insightful portrayal of overlooked presidents and the political complexity of the 1880s, highlighting Garfield's principled rise to power amid national turmoil.
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