The Pendleton Act introduced a system for hiring federal employees based on merit. What is this system commonly called?

• A. Spoils system
• B. Merit pay system
• C. Civil service system
• D. Patronage system

Answer: (C)

The Pendleton Act established a civil service system that hires federal employees based on merit rather than political connections. It created competitive exams and a classified, merit-based process for appointments and promotions, insulating the workforce from patronage and the spoils system. This merit-based hiring approach is what the civil service system refers to, making it the best answer. The other options don’t fit because they describe pay policies or political patronage practices rather than the structured, merit-driven hiring framework the Act introduced.