How did James Garfield became president?

James Garfield became president after winning the 1880 Republican National Convention, where he was a compromise candidate. He secured the nomination despite not actively campaigning, largely due to the divisions within the party between the Stalwarts and the Half-Breeds. Garfield won the general election against Democratic candidate Winfield Scott Hancock by a narrow margin. He took office on March 4, 1881, but his presidency was cut short when he was assassinated later that year.