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The spoils system in American political history refers to the practice of rewarding supporters with public office positions. Originating before Andrew Jackson's era, it became prominent during his presidency. The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883 initiated a shift towards merit-based federal employment, reducing patronage and leading to a professional civil service. This act also impacted political campaign financing and the nonpartisan nature of civil service, although the spoils system persisted at state and local levels into the mid-20th century.
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Early presidents, such as George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, engaged in patronage by appointing individuals aligned with their political party
Andrew Jackson's Administration
President Andrew Jackson's extensive replacement of federal employees with his own supporters marked a defining moment for the spoils system
The assassination of President James A. Garfield in 1881 led to the movement for civil service reform and the passage of the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act in 1883
The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883 created a bipartisan Civil Service Commission to oversee the merit-based hiring of federal employees
The Pendleton Act mandated that federal jobs be awarded based on qualifications and performance, rather than political affiliation
The Pendleton Act paved the way for the expansion of the merit system, leading to the majority of federal positions being filled through competitive exams
The Pendleton Act played a significant role in the development of a professional civil service and the modern bureaucratic state in America
The Pendleton Act changed the landscape of political campaign financing by prohibiting parties from relying on patronage positions for contributions
The Hatch Act of 1939 further separated politics from civil service by prohibiting federal employees from engaging in certain political activities
Some state and local governments, such as Tammany Hall in New York City and Chicago's city government, continued to operate under the spoils system until the mid-20th century
While some states, like Illinois, began to reform their bureaucracies earlier, the transition away from the spoils system varied across the country
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Origin of 'spoils system' phrase
Phrase 'to the victor belong the spoils' reflects the spoils system's practice of rewarding supporters with public office.
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President associated with spoils system
President Andrew Jackson, post-1828 election, widely linked to the spoils system's implementation in the U.S.
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Act initiating merit-based federal employment
Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883 began the transition to hiring federal employees based on merit.
