USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -spoils system, also called patronage system, practice in which the political party winning an election rewards its campaign workers and other active supporters by appointment to government posts and with other favours.

Detailed explanation-2: -The term was used particularly in politics of the United States, where the federal government operated on a spoils system until the Pendleton Act was passed in 1883 due to a civil service reform movement. Thereafter the spoils system was largely replaced by nonpartisan merit at the federal level of the United States.

Detailed explanation-3: -The spoils system was instituted by Democratic President Andrew Jackson. “To the victor goes the spoils” meant that every government job belonged to the party in power. This drawing was meant to depict Jackson’s decision-making in appointing members of his party to government positions.

Detailed explanation-4: -And the term Spoils System was intended to be a derogatory nickname. The phrase came from a speech by Senator William L. Marcy of New York. While defending the actions of the Jackson administration in a speech in the U.S. Senate, Marcy famously said, “to the victor belong the spoils."

Detailed explanation-5: -As a result, the spoils system allowed those with political influence to ascend to powerful positions within the government, regardless of their level of experience or skill, thus compounding both the inefficiency of government as well as enhancing the opportunities for corruption.