The Pendleton Act (1883) accomplished which of the following?

The Pendleton Act (1883) accomplished which of the following?

• A. 1883 law that created a Civil Service Commission and moved appointments to merit; prohibits compulsory campaign contributions and firing for political reasons
• B. Created an Office of Management and Budget
• C. Established term limits for federal offices
• D. Authorized broad-based executive orders

Answer: (A)

The main concept being tested is civil service reform and merit-based hiring in the federal government. The Pendleton Act of 1883 created a framework in which many federal jobs would be awarded based on merit rather than political connections. It established the Civil Service Commission to oversee competitive examinations and ensure appointments were made on merit, and it protected civil servants from being fired for political reasons while limiting the practice of forcing campaign contributions. This was a turning point away from the patronage (spoils) system toward a professional, nonpartisan bureaucracy. This isn’t about creating the Office of Management and Budget, setting term limits, or authorizing broad executive orders, which are features associated with later reforms or different government actions.

The main concept being tested is civil service reform and merit-based hiring in the federal government. The Pendleton Act of 1883 created a framework in which many federal jobs would be awarded based on merit rather than political connections. It established the Civil Service Commission to oversee competitive examinations and ensure appointments were made on merit, and it protected civil servants from being fired for political reasons while limiting the practice of forcing campaign contributions. This was a turning point away from the patronage (spoils) system toward a professional, nonpartisan bureaucracy.

This isn’t about creating the Office of Management and Budget, setting term limits, or authorizing broad executive orders, which are features associated with later reforms or different government actions.