Final answer:
Before the Civil Service Act of 1883, government appointments were handled through the spoils system where political supporters were rewarded with jobs. The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883 put an end to this system by introducing a merit-based system of employment for government positions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Government Appointments Before the Civil Service Act of 1883
Before the Civil Service Act of 1883, government appointments were not made on a basis of merit or seniority. Instead, they were part of what was known as the spoils system. This system involved rewarding political supporters with government jobs. The spoils system meant that after elections, the winning party would often distribute public offices and jobs to its supporters as a reward for their political service, often regardless of their qualifications for the positions. This practice led to widespread corruption, incompetence, and inefficiency within the public service.
The assassination of President James Garfield by a disappointed office seeker in 1881 highlighted the problems of the spoils system and spurred the passage of the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act in 1883. This act established the Civil Service Commission and set the groundwork for a merit system, where government jobs would be awarded based on qualifications and exams, not political affiliation. Over time, this led to an increase in professionalism and impartiality in the civil service.