Spoils System

President Andrew Jackson

Summary and Definition of the Spoils System
Definition and Summary: What was the Spoils System? The Spoils System, also called the Patronage System, was an arrangement that employed and promoted civil servants (government officials) who were friends and supporters of the political group in power. The word 'spoils' means incidental, secondary, benefits reaped by a winner. The spoils system developed into the firing of political enemies and the hiring of political friends.

The Spoils System for kids
Andrew Jackson was the 7th American President who served in office from March 4, 1829 to March 4, 1837. One of the important events during his presidency was the extension of the "Spoils System".

     
   

What was the Spoils System?
The Spoils System was based on the policy of removing political opponents from federal offices and replacing them with party loyalists. The Spoils System policy had been adopted on a limited scale by previous presidents, notably Thomas Jefferson. Andrew Jackson extended the use of the Spoils System believing that partisan (supporters) loyalty was a more important qualification for a job than competence or merit.

Andrew Jackson and the Spoils System
The Spoils System advocated by Andrew Jackson was based on rotation in office and rewarding loyal supporters. Jackson had good cause in placing so much importance on loyalty. He had experienced extensive personal and political disloyalty during his early presidency through the Peggy Eaton affair which had led him to request the resignation of his entire cabinet, including his vice president. After the purge he established a new official cabinet, but only took advice from loyal friends and supporters who were referred to by his enemies as the Kitchen Cabinet.

How did the Spoils System develop? Rotation in Office
The Spoils System was also based on the democratic principle that anyone who held an office for too long became corrupt and led Andrew Jackson to advocate rotation in office. Jackson was a 'man of the people' and firmly believed that there were too many aristocratic, career politicians in the upper-class Congress that were out of touch with the American public. He adopted the policy of removing the old officeholders and replacing them with those recommended by the winning candidates in his party. The implementation of the system of rotation in office, and Jackson's belief in loyalty, evolved into the spoils system.  

The Spoils System and Jackson's Presidency: Van Buren, Buchanan and Marcy
Andrew Jackson had the loyal support of two future presidents; Martin Van Buren and James Buchanan. He also had the support of Senator William Learned Marcy of New York. These three powerful men had built up strong party machines in their states. In one of his speeches Marcy said "...to the victor belong the spoils." Martin Van Buren, Buchanan and Marcy saw nothing wrong in the principle that to the victors belong the spoils of victory. So when they won they rewarded their party workers with government offices. The Spoils System was now established in the national government of Andrew Jackson. Supporter of Andrew Jackson descended on Washington, there were so many that the boarding houses and hotels could not accommodate all of them. Many camped out in public squares and the parks of the capital. During his presidency nearly 1000 officeholders were removed and replaced by the appointments of political partisans.

Arguments for the Spoils System
The arguments for the Spoils System were:

● It ensured loyal, enthusiastic and cooperative supporters of the presidential administration in the civil service
● It maintained an active party organization by offering loyal supporters occupational rewards

Arguments against the Spoils System
The arguments against the Spoils System were:

● Appointments to office were based on the needs of the party, rather than a person's qualifications or skills to do the job
● The Spoils System led abuses of political power designed to benefit and enrich the ruling party

Spoils System
The info about the Spoils System provides interesting facts and important information about this important event that occured during the presidency of the 7th President of the United States of America.

What was the Significance of the Spoils System?
The significance of the Spoils System was:

● It became a 'custom and practice' of future presidential administrations
● Inefficiencies and corruption were bred by the Spoils system
● The Spoils system reached astonishing proportions in the administration of President Ulysses S. Grant, refer to
Grantism, and the Civil Service Commission was established in 1871
● A merit based civil service system would not be implemented by the federal government until the Pendleton Federal Civil Service Act of 1883

Examples of Corruption and the Spoils System for kids
Examples of corruption and the Spoils System in future administrations included:

● Bribes and kickbacks were demanded in exchange for lucrative contracts
● The siphoning of public funds
● Public projects granted at very low prices
● Favoring party supporters in areas like the levying of taxes.
● Favoring party supporters in areas like the prosecution of law cases and the levying of taxes.

Spoils System for kids - President Andrew Jackson Video
The article on the Spoils System provides an overview of one of the Important issues of his presidential term in office. The following Andrew Jackson video will give you additional important facts and dates about the political events experienced by the 7th American President whose presidency spanned from March 4, 1829 to March 4, 1837.

Spoils System

● Interesting Facts about Spoils System for kids and schools
● Key events Spoils System for kids
● The Spoils System, a Important event in US history
● Andrew Jackson Presidency from March 4, 1829 to March 4, 1837
● Fast, fun, interesting timeline about Important events
● Foreign & Domestic policies of President Andrew Jackson
● Spoils System for schools, homework, kids and children

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