How did the spoils system impact the political landscape during the election of President James Garfield and the reign of his successor Chester A. Arthur?
The spoils system refers to a practice in which elected officials reward their supporters by giving them government positions and contracts. This system had a significant impact on the political landscape during the election of President James Garfield and the reign of his successor, Chester A. Arthur. To delve into the specifics of this impact, let's break it down step by step:
1. Background: The spoils system originated in the early 19th century, with the idea that political supporters would be given government jobs as a form of patronage. This system was widely used at the time, and it led to concerns about corruption, ineffectiveness, and the dismissal of qualified individuals from government positions.
2. Election of James Garfield: During the 1880 presidential election, James Garfield, a Republican, was elected as the 20th President of the United States. At this time, the spoils system was deeply entrenched, as government positions were still being filled based on patronage rather than merit.
3. Impact during Garfield's presidency: Garfield attempted to reform the spoils system by advocating for civil service reform, which aimed to replace the patronage system with merit-based appointments. However, this reform effort faced significant opposition from powerful politicians who benefited from the spoils system.
4. Assassination of President Garfield: In July 1881, just a few months into his presidency, Garfield was assassinated by a disgruntled office-seeker who had been denied a government position. This tragic event brought renewed attention to the problems associated with the spoils system and generated public sentiment in favor of reform.
5. Chester A. Arthur's presidency: Following Garfield's assassination, his Vice President, Chester A. Arthur, assumed the presidency. Arthur, who had previously been a beneficiary of the spoils system, unexpectedly embraced civil service reform and became a champion for change.
6. Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act: In 1883, during Arthur's presidency, the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act was signed into law. This legislation marked a pivotal moment in the transition away from the spoils system. The Pendleton Act established the merit-based Civil Service Commission, which was responsible for overseeing the hiring and promotion of federal employees based on their qualifications rather than political connections.
In conclusion, during the election of President James Garfield and the reign of his successor Chester A. Arthur, the impact of the spoils system was evident. Garfield's assassination heightened public awareness of the flaws and corruption associated with the patronage system. This, in turn, paved the way for Arthur to support and eventually sign the Pendleton Act, which marked a significant step towards reforming the spoils system and establishing a merit-based civil service.
The spoils system, also known as the patronage system, refers to the political practice of appointing government officials based on party loyalty rather than merit. This system had a significant impact during the election of President James Garfield and the subsequent presidency of his successor, Chester A. Arthur. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of that impact:
1. Background: The spoils system became common during the 19th century. It allowed the winning political party to fill government positions with its loyal supporters, often replacing qualified officials from the opposing party.
2. Election of James Garfield: In the election of 1880, James Garfield, a Republican, campaigned against the spoils system. He advocated for civil service reform, which aimed to ensure government appointments were based on merit rather than political favoritism.
3. Assassination of President Garfield: Just four months into his presidency, President Garfield was assassinated by a disgruntled office-seeker, Charles J. Guiteau. Guiteau was upset over his failure to receive a political appointment as a reward for his support of Garfield's campaign.
4. Chester A. Arthur becomes President: After Garfield's death, Vice President Chester A. Arthur assumed the presidency. Arthur had previously benefited from the spoils system and had been a staunch defender of patronage. However, the assassination of Garfield prompted him to change his views and support civil service reform.
5. Pendleton Act: In response to Garfield's assassination and pressure for reform, President Arthur worked with Congress to pass the Pendleton Act in 1883. This act marked the first significant attempt at civil service reform in the United States. It established a merit-based system for certain government positions, requiring candidates to pass competitive exams rather than relying solely on political connections.
6. Impact on the political landscape: The Pendleton Act was a significant step in reducing the influence of the spoils system and promoting meritocracy in government appointments. However, it did not completely eliminate the spoils system, and it only covered a limited number of federal positions initially. Nevertheless, it set a precedent for future civil service reforms.
7. Long-term effects: The spoils system continued to be a part of American politics even after the Pendleton Act. However, over time, subsequent reforms and the growth of the civil service system gradually reduced the influence of patronage. This led to a more professional and merit-based bureaucracy, thereby shifting the political landscape towards a more accountable and efficient government.
Overall, the impact of the spoils system during the election of President Garfield and the subsequent presidency of Chester A. Arthur was significant. It led to Garfield's assassination and sparked a reform movement that eventually resulted in the passage of the Pendleton Act, marking a major step towards civil service reform in the United States.