What did the Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883 establish?

The Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883 established a Civil Service Commission to oversee federal employment. This legislation was a significant reform in the U.S. government aimed at reducing the widespread practice of patronage, where government jobs were awarded based on political connections rather than merit.

The Act mandated that certain government positions be filled based on competitive examinations and merit, promoting professionalism and competence in the federal workforce. This shift played a crucial role in transforming the nature of federal employment by ensuring that jobs were awarded to qualified individuals rather than being distributed as rewards for political support.

The establishment of the Civil Service Commission marked the beginning of a more merit-based approach to public service, which has influenced the functioning of the federal government to this day.