How did the spoils system affect president James Garfield and his successor Charles arthur
The spoils system, which involved giving government positions to supporters and friends of the winning political party, had a significant impact on President James Garfield and his successor Charles Arthur.
President Garfield's assassination in 1881 by a disappointed job seeker highlighted the dangers and corruption of the spoils system. Garfield had been in office for only a few months before he was shot by Charles Guiteau, who believed he was owed a government job for supporting Garfield's campaign. This tragic event led to increased public outcry against the spoils system and a push for civil service reform.
Following Garfield's death, his Vice President, Chester Arthur, became President. Arthur had been a supporter of the spoils system before taking office, but he was deeply affected by Garfield's assassination and the public outcry against the system. As President, Arthur signed the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act in 1883, which established the United States Civil Service Commission and made appointments to federal positions based on merit rather than political connections. This marked a significant shift away from the spoils system and laid the foundation for a more professional and efficient government bureaucracy.
Overall, the spoils system had a profound impact on both President Garfield and his successor Charles Arthur, ultimately leading to the implementation of civil service reform in the United States.