The Pendleton Act established which system of public employment?

The Pendleton Act established which system of public employment?

• A. Spoils system
• B. Merit system
• C. Patronage
• D. Civil service

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is how public employment was reformed to be based on merit rather than political connections. The Pendleton Act established a merit-based system for federal hiring, introducing exams and other nonpartisan criteria to determine who gets and keeps government jobs. It created a framework (the civil service system) that moves hiring and promotion away from the old spoils/patronage approach, where jobs were awarded for political support. By limiting political influence over personnel decisions and protecting employees from undue political pressure, the act solidified merit as the standard for federal employment.

The idea being tested is how public employment was reformed to be based on merit rather than political connections. The Pendleton Act established a merit-based system for federal hiring, introducing exams and other nonpartisan criteria to determine who gets and keeps government jobs. It created a framework (the civil service system) that moves hiring and promotion away from the old spoils/patronage approach, where jobs were awarded for political support. By limiting political influence over personnel decisions and protecting employees from undue political pressure, the act solidified merit as the standard for federal employment.