Question

How did the spoils system affect President James Garfield and his successor Chester A. Arthur

Summarized into 5 sentences please.

Answer 1

The spoils system, which involved rewarding political supporters with government jobs, played a major role in James Garfield's presidency. Garfield was assassinated by a disappointed office-seeker who felt he was owed a government position. Garfield's successor, Chester A. Arthur, became president and worked to reform the spoils system by advocating for the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act. This act established a merit-based system for government jobs, reducing the influence of political patronage. Arthur's efforts to reform the spoils system helped restore public trust in government and paved the way for future civil service reforms.