Episode 6: James A. Garfield and Chester A. Arthur - a podcast by SMU Center for Presidential History

Today’s episode is all about Presidents James A. Garfield and Chester A. Arthur. Garfield, the 20th president of the United States, was only in office six and a half months before he died from medical complications following a botched assassination. Just sixteen years after Lincoln’s death, Garfield was the second president assassinated. His vice president, Chester Arthur, served the remainder of his term.  

We will learn from two experts about why Arthur’s presidency was dominated by civil service reform, debates over immigration, and conflict over Native American policy—and how the administration might have gone differently if Garfield had survived. For this episode, we spoke to two esteemed scholars. Todd Arrington and Dr. Katie Benton-Cohen helped us grapple with three critical themes: 

• First, the potential for greater civil rights under President Garfield and the opportunity lost with his assassination.
• Second, the emergence of the southwest as a site of racial tension.
• Third, the increasing role of immigration in racial relations. 

Visit pastpromisepresidency.com to learn more.

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