Briefly explain the underlying reason for the emergence of the spoils system.
5. The Civil Service Commission was created by the ________.
- Pendleton Act of 1883
- Lloyd–La Follette Act of 1912
- Hatch Act of 1939
- Political Activities Act of 1939
6. The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 created the Office of Personnel Management and the ________.
- Civil Service Commission
- Merit Systems Protection Board
- "spoils system"
- General Schedule
Answer (2)
The spoils system emerged to reward political supporters and maintain loyalty, especially during Andrew Jackson's presidency. It often resulted in unqualified individuals in government positions, leading to debates about efficiency and corruption. This issue prompted later civil service reforms.
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The emergence of the spoils system is rooted in the political practices of early 19th-century United States. This system was popularized with the presidency of Andrew Jackson, who served from 1829 to 1837. The core idea behind the spoils system was that political victory by a party allowed them to distribute public offices and government jobs to its supporters, friends, and relatives as a reward for working toward victory. This practice was meant to ensure loyalty to the party and its leaders, promoting political unity within the party but often leading to inefficiency and corruption in government operations.
The Civil Service Commission was created by the Pendleton Act of 1883 . This Act marked a significant policy shift, moving toward a merit-based system for federal employment. It aimed to curb the abuses of the spoils system by requiring that government jobs be awarded based on merit rather than political connections.
The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 led to the creation of the Office of Personnel Management and the Merit Systems Protection Board . This reform further advanced the federal civil service system by strengthening protection for employees and maintaining the merit-based system of hiring and employment.
