The main reason for the creation of the civil service system in the late 1800s was to combat widespread corruption and patronage in government positions, often referred to as the "spoils system." Under the spoils system, government jobs were awarded based on political loyalty and connections rather than merit and qualifications, leading to inefficiency, corruption, and a lack of professionalism within the public service.
The assassination of President James A. Garfield in 1881 by a disgruntled office seeker highlighted the dangers of this system and sparked public outcry for reform. This led to the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883, which established a merit-based system for selecting government employees. The act aimed to ensure that positions within the federal government were filled based on competency and qualifications rather than political affiliations, thereby promoting efficiency, integrity, and professionalism in public administration.
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