Final answer:
Civil service reform in the late 1800s aimed to replace the political patronage system with a merit-based system, ensuring federal jobs were filled by qualified individuals through competitive exams and reducing partisan influence over government positions. The Pendleton Act was a centerpiece of this reform, establishing the Civil Service Commission and leading to further bureaucracy professionalization.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Purpose of Civil Service Reform in the Late 1800s
The efforts at civil service reform during the late 1800s aimed to eradicate the widespread issue of political patronage, also known as the spoils system, in which jobs were given out based on political connections rather than merit. Prior to the reforms, this system was used by political parties to ensure loyalty and raise funds. After the assassination of President James Garfield by a disgruntled office seeker, Congress passed the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act in 1883, establishing the Civil Service Commission. The Commission was responsible for ensuring that federal government jobs were awarded and retained based on competitive examinations, marking a significant shift towards a merit-based system. This movement towards a merit system sought to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and fairness of the bureaucracy and was accompanied by other social reforms enhancing public well-being and governance.
During President Ulysses S. Grant's term, early signs of civil service reform emerged when he appointed George Curtis to head a commission in 1871, which later led to competitive exams and changes in hiring practices. As the Pendleton Act came into effect, the civil service expanded, taking up a larger portion of the government workforce and moving further away from the partisan appointments. Civil service organizations also arose to strengthen job security and maintain a separation from political patronage. In addition to creating a more ethical government workforce, these reforms also set the stage for a greater professionalization of the civil service, which continued to evolve throughout the 20th century.