American Government / Unit 8 Gov 381 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Spoils System
Captions available
The idea
The spoils system awarded government jobs to the election winner's political supporters.
In practice
The practice is remembered as Andrew Jackson's legacy — loyalty rewarded with office.
Where people slip
Patronage had a defense: it made government responsive to electoral victory.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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