James Garfield Presidential Profile

Presidential Profile: James A. Garfield By: Taya Jones Period: ____ 1. Early Life and Background James Abram Garfield was born on November 19, 1831, in Orange Township, Ohio, in a small log cabin. He grew up in poverty and worked many jobs as a child, including farming and canal work, to support his family after his father died. Garfield valued education and eventually attended Williams College, where he graduated with honors. Before becoming President, he worked as a teacher, college president, lawyer, and served as a Union general during the Civil War. He later entered politics and served multiple terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he became known for his intelligence and leadership. 2. Presidential Roles Chief Executive As Chief Executive, James Garfield worked to enforce federal laws and oversee the executive branch. He attempted to reform the corrupt spoils system by choosing qualified individuals for government positions rather than rewarding political supporters. Garfield believed strongly in honesty and merit, which put him in conflict with powerful political figures. Even in his short time in office, he made it clear that corruption would not be tolerated in his administration. Chief Legislator In his role as Chief Legislator, Garfield supported civil service reform and stronger federal authority. He communicated his ideas to Congress and encouraged legislation that promoted fairness in government hiring. Garfield used his influence to push Congress toward reform, even though many lawmakers resisted change. His ideas helped inspire later legislation, including the Pendleton Civil Service Act, which was passed after his death. Commander in Chief Although no major wars occurred during his presidency, Garfield fulfilled his role as Commander in Chief by maintaining control of the military. His prior experience as a Civil War general gave him credibility and respect in military matters. He supported a strong national defense and believed the military should remain loyal to the Constitution rather than political parties. His leadership helped maintain stability during his term. 3. Historic Events During His Presidency Assassination of President Garfield One of the most significant events of Garfield’s presidency was his assassination. On July 2, 1881, he was shot by Charles Guiteau, a disgruntled office seeker who believed he deserved a government job. Garfield survived the initial shooting but suffered from infections caused by poor medical treatment. He died on September 19, 1881, after serving only about six months as President. Conflict Over the Spoils System During Garfield’s presidency, there was intense conflict over the spoils system, which involved giving government jobs to political supporters. Garfield opposed this system and wanted to replace it with a merit-based system. His stance angered members of his own party, especially Senator Roscoe Conkling. This conflict highlighted the widespread corruption in government and showed Garfield’s commitment to reform. Vice President Arthur Becomes President After Garfield’s death, Vice President Chester A. Arthur became President. Arthur had originally supported the spoils system, but Garfield’s assassination changed public opinion. Many Americans began to associate political corruption with violence. This event ultimately led to serious civil service reform and changed how government jobs were awarded. 4. Life After the Presidency James Garfield did not have a traditional life after leaving the presidency because he died while still in office. After being shot, he spent several weeks in recovery while the nation followed his condition closely. Americans across the country prayed for his survival and showed widespread support. His death shocked the nation and led to national mourning. Garfield’s legacy lived on through the reforms his presidency inspired, particularly civil service reform, which improved honesty and fairness in government.