Chester A. Arthur
Gilded Age
Arthur unexpectedly became a reform president after Garfield’s assassination, most notably signing the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act.
Why This Presidency Matters
Succeeded after Garfield’s assassination
Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act
Modernization of the U.S. Navy begins
Sequence Recall
Term Structure
1881-09-19 to 1885-03-04
Succeeded after Garfield was assassinatedWhat This President Actually Did
Vice Presidents
No vice-presidential pairing recorded yet.
Constitutional Themes
Post-assassination reform presidency
Signature Measures
Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act
Defining Crises
Spoils-system legitimacy crisis
Self-Test Prompts
Which party did Chester A. Arthur represent, and what broader era does this presidency belong to?
Republican. This presidency is grouped here under Gilded Age.
How did Chester A. Arthur first enter office?
Succeeded after Garfield was assassinated.
What are the three most important moments to remember from this presidency?
Succeeded after Garfield’s assassination; Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act; Modernization of the U.S. Navy begins.
Daily Drill Extension
Which presidents bracket Chester A. Arthur in the sequence?
James A. Garfield and Grover Cleveland.
Which party and era should you associate with Chester A. Arthur?
Republican; Gilded Age.
How did Chester A. Arthur first enter office?
Succeeded after Garfield was assassinated.
Name two high-signal moments that make Chester A. Arthur historically memorable.
Succeeded after Garfield’s assassination; Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act.
Which constitutional or institutional themes should you connect to Chester A. Arthur?
Post-assassination reform presidency.