The spoils system involved appointing supporters to key government positions, while the merit system focused on hiring based on qualifications and job performance. The Pendleton Act of 1883 marked the transition from the spoils system to the merit system.
The spoils system, also known as the patronage system, was a practice in the early years of the United States where political supporters and friends were appointed to key government positions as a reward for their loyalty to a particular party. This system originated under President Andrew Jackson in the 1820s and was based on party loyalty rather than merit.
The merit system emerged in response to the corruption and inefficiency of the spoils system. It emphasized hiring government employees based on their qualifications and ability to perform the job effectively. The Pendleton Act of 1883 marked the shift towards the merit system in federal hiring practices, ending the widespread patronage that characterized the spoils system.
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