The year 1883 marks the enactment of the Pendleton Civil Service Act, which established a merit-based system for hiring and promoting government employees.
Think of 1883 as the birth year of a new era in government employment practices, where qualifications and abilities became more important than political connections. It's like when a popular kid at school gets replaced by someone with actual talent in a student council election.
Patronage: The practice of giving government jobs to loyal supporters, often based on political affiliation or personal relationships.
Merit-based system: A method of hiring or promoting individuals based on their qualifications, skills, and performance rather than political favoritism.
Spoils system: A practice where elected officials reward their supporters with government jobs and other perks.
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