Question

Before the Civil Service Act of 1883, government appointments were made

A) on the basis of merit
B) on the basis of seniority
C) to political supporters as part of a spoils system
D) by leaders of Congress

Answer 1

Before the Civil Service Act of 1883, government appointments were made based on party loyalty through the spoils system. The Pendleton Act of 1883 established the Civil Service Commission and introduced a merit-based system for government appointments.

Step-by-step explanation:

The spoils system allocated political appointments on the basis of party loyalty. Before the Civil Service Act of 1883, government appointments were given to political supporters as part of the spoils system, which involved rewarding individuals who were loyal to a particular political party. However, after President James Garfield was assassinated by a disappointed office seeker, the Pendleton Act of 1883 was enacted to establish the Civil Service Commission and transition government appointments to a merit-based system.