Pendleton Civil Service Act

Questions for Further Study

• 1. Compare and contrast the modern civil service system with that enacted by the passage of the Pendleton Act in 1883. What are some similarities? What are some differences?
• 2. Compare and contrast the American civil service system with the model British civil service system. How are the two systems modeled on civil service systems in other countries? Focus on the documents' intended audience, overall impact, and so on.
• 3. Given the history of the spoils system, the civil service, and the political climate before 1883, was the Pendleton Act necessary for reforming the civil service? Why or why not? Why did the Pendleton Act succeed when so many other bills failed? Where would America be today if the Pendleton Act had not been enacted?
• 4. With no funding and little commitment from Congress, the first Civil Service Commission failed in just two years. Was the first Civil Service Commission destined to fail? Why or why not?
• 5. One of the Civil Service Commission's most famous commissioners was the future president Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt took strides to strengthen the authority of the commission and to classify more positions. Why do you think he did this? Is his work as commissioner indicative of his future presidential goals?
• 6. Before the passage of the Pendleton Act, most government jobs were obtained through patronage. Today, virtually all federal government jobs are under the purview of the Civil Service Commission. Compare and contrast the two systems. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each system?