Question

How did the spoils system affect
President James Garfield and his successor Chester A. Arthur?
(1 point)
It helped Garfield win the
• election, but caused Arthur to lose support.
It led to Garfield's assassination and
prompted Arthur to support civil service reform.
It allowed Garfield to reward his supporters, but caused Arthur to focus on foreign policy.
It gave Arthur more power
O over the military, but
weakened Garfield's leadership.

Answer 1

The correct answer is: **It led to Garfield's assassination and prompted Arthur to support civil service reform.**

The spoils system, which involved rewarding political supporters with government positions, played a significant role in the political landscape of the time. President James Garfield faced significant pressure from factions seeking patronage, and his assassination in 1881 by Charles Guiteau, who was disgruntled by not receiving a government job, highlighted the dangers of the spoils system. In response to Garfield's assassination, his successor, Chester A. Arthur, who had initially benefitted from the spoils system, shifted his stance and became an advocate for civil service reform, culminating in the Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883.