What did the Spoils System entail?

What did the Spoils System entail?

• A. Federal employees were appointed based on merit and exams.
• B. Federal employees were nonpartisan.
• C. Federal employees were political appointees rewarded for service or support to the party in power; allegiance required.
• D. The system was abolished by the Civil Service Act.

Answer: (C)

Patronage and loyalty shape the Spoils System. After elections, the winning party rewards its supporters by filling federal offices with party workers and loyalists, rather than hiring based on qualifications or exams. Jobs become rewards for service and for backing the party, with allegiance expected to the current leadership. This contrasts with merit-based hiring and nonpartisan administration, and while later reforms began moving toward exams and merit, the essence of the Spoils System is rewarding loyalty with government positions.

Patronage and loyalty shape the Spoils System. After elections, the winning party rewards its supporters by filling federal offices with party workers and loyalists, rather than hiring based on qualifications or exams. Jobs become rewards for service and for backing the party, with allegiance expected to the current leadership. This contrasts with merit-based hiring and nonpartisan administration, and while later reforms began moving toward exams and merit, the essence of the Spoils System is rewarding loyalty with government positions.