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 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-3: -The term was derived from the phrase “to the victor belong the spoils” by New York Senator William L. Marcy, referring to the victory of Andrew Jackson in the election of 1828, with the term spoils meaning goods or benefits taken from the loser in a competition, election or military victory.

Detailed explanation-4: -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.

Detailed explanation-5: -Although President George Washington based most of his federal appointments on merit, subsequent presidents deviated from this policy. By the time Andrew Jackson was elected president in 1828, the “spoils system, ” in which officials rewarded political friends and supporters with government positions, was in full force.