American Government / Unit 8 Gov 382 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Pendleton Act
Captions available
The idea
The Pendleton Act of 1883 began the merit-based civil service: political firings barred, competence exams required, and a Civil Service Commission created to enforce both.
In practice
Congress acted after President Garfield was assassinated by a disappointed office seeker.
Where people slip
Reform arrived by catastrophe — the catalyst is part of the history.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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