How did the spoils system affect President James Garfield and his successor Chester A. Arthur?(1 point)

Question

Responses

It helped Garfield win the election, but caused Arthur to lose support.
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 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 allowed Garfield to reward his supporters, but caused Arthur to focus on foreign policy.

It gave Arthur more power over the military, but weakened Garfield’s leadership.

Answer 1

The correct response is: It led to Garfield’s assassination and prompted Arthur to support civil service reform.

The spoils system was a practice where political leaders rewarded their supporters with government positions. President Garfield was assassinated by Charles Guiteau, a disgruntled office seeker who felt entitled to a political appointment. In the aftermath of Garfield's assassination, Chester A. Arthur, who had previously benefited from the spoils system, became an advocate for civil service reform to reduce corruption and prevent such tragedies in the future.