Respuesta :
During the late 19th century, United States presidents were adamant in terms of protecting the spoils system of patronage because the system served to maintain loyalty. Through the absence of merit and the prevalence of loyalty and contributions, the spoils system reinforced political strength. It also resulted in corruption and proved to be extremely ineffective, so reforms were eventually implemented.
Final answer:
U.S. presidents during the late 19th century protected the spoils system to ensure political loyalty and maintain power. The system rewarded party supporters with government jobs and enforced party loyalty, but also led to inefficiencies and corruption. Criticism and reforms such as the Pendleton Act eventually led to a move towards a merit-based civil service.
Explanation:
The United States presidents during the late nineteenth century were generally supportive of the spoils system because it was a means of strengthening political support and maintaining party power. The spoils system involved a reciprocal arrangement where political appointments were given in return for political loyalty. Presidents relied on this system to keep their administrations staffed with party loyalists, which was especially crucial in an era of closely contested elections and divided party affiliations.
President Andrew Jackson is often credited with the widespread implementation of the spoils system. He believed that having federal workers who were accountable to the executive branch—and, by extension, to the president—would make the government more efficient and responsive to the electorate. This approach enforced party loyalty by making the socioeconomic well-being of party members dependent on the party’s success.
However, the spoils system also led to inefficiencies and corruption within the government. This was compounded by the fact that many presidents during that period won with less than majority support in the popular vote, resulting in relatively weak administrations owing numerous political favors. The growing criticism eventually led to the introduction of civil service reform, such as the Pendleton Act of 1883, which began to phase out the spoils system in favor of a merit-based federal workforce.
