The Spoils System Explained: US History Review

The video explores the spoils system, a practice initiated by Andrew Jackson in 1828, where political supporters were rewarded with government jobs. This led to inefficiency and corruption, as jobs were given based on loyalty rather than merit. The system persisted for decades, contributing to the rise of political machines. Reforms like the Pendleton Act in 1883 and the Hatch Act in 1939 aimed to curb these practices by promoting merit-based hiring and limiting political activities of federal employees. Despite these efforts, remnants of the spoils system continued to influence local politics.

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