Final answer:
The Pendleton Act established the Civil Service Commission and required merit-based examinations for certain government positions, initially covering approximately 10 percent of civil service appointments and marking a pivotal shift from the spoils system to a merit-based system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Pendleton Act
The Pendleton Act, also known as the Civil Service Reform Act of 1883, was instrumental in shifting the federal bureaucracy from a patronage-based system to one based on merit. This act required individuals to pass competitive examinations to prove their competence for certain government jobs, establishing a merit system. It initially covered approximately 10 percent of civil service appointments, which Chester Arthur later expanded but was prohibited from reducing. The Act is considered an early example of government reform and laid the foundation for the merit-based system we see today. Although the Pendleton Act received mixed support when it was passed, it eventually led to significant changes in the civil service system.
One key element of the law was the creation of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), which was responsible for administering exams, ensuring impartial appointment based on population, and guarding against political coercion in civil service positions. The passage of the Pendleton Act marked a significant shift away from the spoils system and was a response to the widespread call for reform following the assassination of President James Garfield by a disappointed office seeker.