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Death by Lightning premieres on Netflix as a gripping political thriller that pulls audiences into one of America's most intense presidential tragedies. The limited show chronicles the assassination of President James A. Garfield and the unpredictable circumstances surrounding his demise.
When a title promises death by lightning, the viewers generally expect something mind-blowing. The show delivers exactly that through its examination of obsession, medical incompetence, and political ambition.
The series tells the story of Michael Shannon as the doomed president and Mathew Macfadyen as his brutal assassin. Their acting brings the forgotten chapter of American history back into the spotlight.
However, the questions that buzz in the minds of the viewers long after the credits roll regarding the actuality of the events. The answer is yes. Death by Lightning is based entirely on real events that transformed the course of American politics forever.
Crucial details regarding the real events of Netflix's Death by Lightning
The real James A. Garfield
James A. Garfield was, in reality, the 20th President of the United States. He came from grounded roots in Ohio and built his profession through military service during the Civil War.
After the war ended, he entered politics and quickly rose through the ranks. His presidency represented hope for change in an era marred by a corrupt political system.
The Republican Party was divided into two factions at the time. The Stalwarts wanted to maintain the old patronage system. The Half-Breeds pushed for merit-based appointments. Garfield sided with the reformation. This decision would at last seal his fate in ways he could never have thought about.
The Assassin Charles J. Guiteau
Charles J. Guiteau was an actual person whose delusion led to tragedy. He was a failed lawyer who drifted through several careers without growth. Guiteau became convinced that his limited campaign efforts had secured Garfield's victory.
He believed he deserved a diplomatic position as a reward for his supposed contributions. When his requests were dismissed, his mental state deteriorated rapidly. Guiteau started to see himself as an agent of divine will. He decided that removing Garfield was his end goal.
His sense of entitlement did not know any bounds. The historical records display a man completely detached from reality. His sense of entitlement knew no bounds. The historical records show a man completely detached from reality, yet determined to act on his twisted faiths.
The assassination attempt
On July 2, 1881, Guiteau shot President Garfield at the Potomac Railroad Station in Baltimore. The president was preparing to board a train when the attack took place. One bullet grazed his shoulder, and the second one pierced through his pancreas.
Garfield did not collapse immediately. This is where the narrative takes its more drastic turn. The medical treatment he received later proved more deadly than the bullet itself.
A painful and slow death
Doctors repeatedly scanned Garfield's wound with unsterilized instruments and hands. They added infection after infection while looking for the bullet. The president spent weeks bedridden as a fever took over him.
His condition deteriorated with each passing day. He was eventually shifted to a seaside mansion in New Jersey. The switch occurred, hoping that the coastal air would aid in his recovery. However, it did not offer any help or support; instead, it turned more deadly.
Garfield was declared dead on September 19, 1881, nearly three months after the shooting. He was just forty-nine years old. Medical incompetence had ended what the bullet could not.
The lasting impact
Guiteay encountered trial and was found guilty in January 1882. He was hanged that June. His courtroom behavior was erratic, as was his crime.
Garfield's death pushed for significant political reform. The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act was passed in 1883, effectively ending the patronage structure.
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Death by Lightning captures this revolutionary moment in American history with precise attention to detail. It tells a story that actually happened, making it even more engaging to watch.
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