The Spoils System / Pendleton Civil Service Act

2026-08-03 · 58 min · episode 3 · 8 entities

episode page audio

Asserted relationships

→ discusses History website

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: History
→ discusses Government company

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Government
→ hosted by Rewind Studios company

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evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Rewind Studios
→ references @GovernmentThatDoesntSuck website

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evidence rules-v5
Link in episode "The Spoils System / Pendleton Civil Service Act": https://youtube.com/@GovernmentThatDoesntSuck

Entities found in this episode

companys 4

mentioned Rewind Studios company

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evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Rewind Studios
mentioned Government company

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Government
discusses Government company

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Government
hosted by Rewind Studios company

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evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Rewind Studios

websites 4

mentioned History website

0.50

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: History
mentioned @GovernmentThatDoesntSuck website

0.45

evidence rules-v5
Link in episode "The Spoils System / Pendleton Civil Service Act": https://youtube.com/@GovernmentThatDoesntSuck
discusses History website

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: History
references @GovernmentThatDoesntSuck website

0.38

evidence rules-v5
Link in episode "The Spoils System / Pendleton Civil Service Act": https://youtube.com/@GovernmentThatDoesntSuck

Episode description as stored

It used to be that federal government jobs were awarded via a "spoils system," where political patronage and loyalty were the primary criteria for hiring and firing government employees. This system led to widespread corruption, incompetence, and inefficiency, as unqualified individuals often held positions due to their political connections rather than their abilities. The assassination of President James A. Garfield in 1881 by a disgruntled office-seeker who felt he was unfairly denied a position highlighted the flaws of the spoils system and fueled public demand for civil service reform. Head over to our Government That Doesn’t Suck YouTube channel to WATCH this episode: https://www.youtube.com/@GovernmentThatDoesntSuck If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Government That Doesn’t Suck to never miss an episode! Government That Doesn’t Suck is a Rewind Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios Follow us on Social Instagram: @RewindStudios TikTok: @RewindStudios YouTube: @GovenmentThatDoesntSuck