The Pendleton Civil Service Act, enacted in 1883, was intended to reform the federal government’s civil service system by addressing issues of patronage and the spoils system. Prior to this act, government jobs were often awarded based on political connections rather than merit, leading to inefficiency, corruption, and a lack of professionalism within federal agencies.
The Pendleton Act aimed to establish a merit-based system for federal employment. It required that applicants for certain government jobs be selected based on their qualifications and performance on competitive examinations rather than political affiliation. The act also established the United States Civil Service Commission to oversee the implementation of these reforms and to help ensure that federal employment practices were based on merit.
Overall, the Pendleton Civil Service Act was a significant step toward professionalizing the federal workforce and reducing corruption in government hiring practices.
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