Question

How did the spoils system affect President James Garfield and his successor Chester A. Arthur?
(4 points)
short and no ai

Answer 1

The spoils system, which rewarded political supporters with government jobs, significantly affected President James Garfield and his successor Chester A. Arthur in several ways:

1. **Assassination of Garfield**: Garfield's opposition to the spoils system, particularly his efforts to reform it and curb the influence of powerful party bosses, led to his assassination by Charles Guiteau, a disgruntled office seeker who believed he was owed a job.

2. **Reform Pressure for Arthur**: As Garfield's successor, Chester A. Arthur faced immense pressure to implement civil service reforms in response to the public outcry following Garfield’s assassination. This pressure pushed him to distance himself from the boss-oriented politics of his earlier career.

3. **Pendleton Act**: Arthur ultimately supported the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act in 1883, which established a merit-based system for federal employment, reducing the power of the spoils system and making government positions less dependent on political affiliation.

4. **Transformation of Arthur**: The situation transformed Arthur’s presidency from one seen as a continuation of patronage politics to a more reform-oriented administration, marking a significant shift in how political appointments were handled in the federal government.