Final answer:
Three key legislative acts that reformed the old Spoils System are the Pendleton Act of 1883, the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, and efforts by the National Civil Service Reform League. These reforms transitioned the federal workforce from patronage-based to merit-based systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
Three important acts that played a significant role in the reform of the Spoils System include The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883, which established the Civil Service Commission and marked the end of patronage at the federal level by instituting a merit system for federal employment. The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, which created the Office of Personnel Management and the Merit Systems Protection Board, further advanced the cause of merit-based employment within the federal government. The establishment of the National Civil Service Reform League in 1881, helped to promote the idea of civil service reform and merit-based employment, leading up to the pivotal legislation. The Spoils System emerged primarily as a result of the rise of centralized party politics in the 1820s, where political loyalty was rewarded with bureaucratic positions. This led to government jobs being filled under a patronage system, creating a reciprocal relationship between the electorate and public officials. However, criticism of this system mounted, leading to significant reforms.