Question

James Garfield was assassinated because ____

a) he fathered a child out of wedlock.
b) his assassin believed that Garfield owed him an ambassador post in Europe c) he was a puppet of Rockefeller, Morgan and Carnegie.
d) he was in favor of radical reconstruction.

Answer 1

B. His assassin believed Garfield owed him a patronage position in the diplomatic corps.

Answer 2

Charles J. Guiteau was an Illinois native who had spent most of his life drifting between cities and trying his hand at everything from law and preaching to living in a free love religious commune. He was a staunch Republican, and had written a speech on Garfield’s behalf during the 1880 presidential election. It was largely ignored, but Guiteau formulated the delusion that it was a key factor in the president’s victory.