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Quizzes > Society & Culture

Spoils System AP Gov Quiz: Test Your Knowledge

Quick, free quiz on the spoils system definition in AP Gov. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Kiki HoopaiUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art style golden yellow background with stacked books, ballots, stylized capitol dome, AP Gov quiz text

This quiz helps you review the spoils system in AP Gov and how it connects to patronage and the federal bureaucracy. Get instant feedback and clear explanations to spot and fix weak areas before the exam. For a quick refresher, see spoils system AP Gov and try the executive branch quiz.

What does the spoils system refer to in American government?
Selecting civil servants by competitive exams
Imposing term limits on public officials
Separating powers among branches
Awarding government jobs to political supporters
The spoils system involved politicians rewarding supporters with public offices, popularized by Andrew Jackson. This patronage practice stood in contrast to merit-based hiring. It led to widespread calls for reform of the federal workforce.
Which law first established a merit-based system for federal employment?
Civil Rights Act
Taft-Hartley Act
Hatch Act
Pendleton Civil Service Act
The Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883 created a merit-based system for federal hiring. It established competitive exams for certain government positions. This act marked the decline of the spoils system.
Which president's assassination spurred passage of the Pendleton Act?
James Garfield
James A. Polk
William McKinley
Abraham Lincoln
President James Garfield was assassinated in 1881 by a disappointed office seeker. His death highlighted the dangers of patronage hiring. This tragedy accelerated support for the Pendleton Act.
Under the spoils system, which group benefitted most?
Independent contractors
Nonpartisan watchdogs
Political party loyalists
Career civil servants
The spoils system distributed government positions to party loyalists. This practice rewarded political support rather than ability. It weakened professional civil service standards.
Which reform reduced the number of patronage positions?
Patriot Act
Pendleton Civil Service Act
Social Security Act
Affordable Care Act
The Pendleton Act mandated competitive exams for many federal jobs. It also made firing for political reasons illegal. Over time, the act reduced patronage appointments.
Which term describes hiring based on skills and qualifications?
Merit system
Gerrymandering
Spoils system
Filibustering
The merit system uses competitive exams and qualifications to hire employees. It contrasts with the spoils system's patronage approach. It aims to create a professional and nonpartisan civil service.
What did the Hatch Act of 1939 restrict?
Judicial review
Federal employees' political activities
State legislature sessions
Presidential veto power
The Hatch Act limits partisan political activities by federal employees. It prevents them from running in elections or engaging in campaign management. This ensures a neutral civil service.
Who appoints members of the federal civil service?
Supreme Court
State governors
Congress directly
President with merit-based procedures
The president appoints top officials but most civil servants are hired by competitive exams. Congress created OPM to manage hiring rules. This system balances executive influence and merit.
Which executive agency manages federal personnel policies?
Department of Defense
Federal Reserve
Office of Personnel Management
Environmental Protection Agency
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) oversees federal hiring and workforce policies. It administers competitive exams and classifications. OPM ensures compliance with merit system principles.
What is a 'patronage position'?
An elected office
A union leadership post
A judicial clerkship
A job given for political support
Patronage positions are appointments based on political loyalty. They were key to the spoils system. Reforms have reduced but not eliminated them.
Which concept ensures civil servants serve regardless of party changes?
Spoils principle
Merit principle
Preemption doctrine
Patronage principle
The merit principle secures nonpartisan, professional civil service. It prevents turnover with each election. This principle underlies modern federal employment rules.
What practice was reduced by the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978?
Bicameralism
Judicial review
Cloture motions
Political patronage
The Civil Service Reform Act restricted patronage and enhanced merit protections. It created the Senior Executive Service and MSPB. The act aimed to strengthen accountability and performance.
Which principle was weakened by the spoils system?
Professional neutrality
State sovereignty
Judicial supremacy
Bicameralism
The spoils system prioritized loyalty over expertise, undermining neutrality. It politicized administrative functions. Reformers sought to restore impartial service.
What triggered many 19th-century civil service reforms?
Great Depression
Civil War aftermath
Passage of the 19th Amendment
Assassination of Garfield
Garfield's 1881 assassination by a failed office seeker shocked the nation. It highlighted the dangers of patronage hiring. Congress responded with the Pendleton Act.
Which amendment extended merit principles to state jobs through federal grants?
None; states adopted voluntarily
16th Amendment
19th Amendment
17th Amendment
No constitutional amendment mandated state civil service reforms. States chose merit systems in response to federal leadership. Federal grants sometimes encouraged but did not require reforms.
How did the Pendleton Act limit patronage?
Removed president's appointment power
Created mandatory reelection
Placed many jobs under merit protection
Abolished all political parties
The Pendleton Act classified certain federal jobs as merit-based. It required competitive exams and prohibited firing for political reasons. This curbed the worst abuses of the spoils system.
Which body interprets civil service protection disputes?
Federal Election Commission
Merit Systems Protection Board
Government Accountability Office
Office of Management and Budget
The MSPB hears appeals from federal employees on adverse actions. It enforces merit system principles. It ensures fair treatment under civil service law.
What is an 'iron triangle'?
Judicial-cabinet alliance
Bipartisan coalition
Congressional leadership duo
Stable policy network among agencies, committees, and interest groups
An iron triangle consists of a congressional committee, an executive agency, and an interest group. They collaborate to create and sustain policy favorable to all three. This dynamic can reduce transparency.
Which act regulates political activities of government employees?
Freedom of Information Act
Logan Act
Hatch Act
Patriot Act
The Hatch Act of 1939 restricts federal employees from partisan political activity. It was strengthened in 1993. The goal is to keep the civil service impartial.
Which presidential power can override patronage appointments?
Executive privilege
Presidential appointment with Senate consent
State of the Union address
Veto power
High-level executive appointments require Senate confirmation. This check can block unqualified political appointees. It balances patronage choices by the president.
What did the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 create?
Environmental Protection Agency
Merit Systems Protection Board and Senior Executive Service
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Office of National Drug Control Policy
The 1978 reform created the MSPB and SES to professionalize top civil service. It sought to increase efficiency and accountability. It updated the 19th-century Pendleton framework.
Which term describes informal influence by interest groups on agencies?
Judicial review
Filibuster
Cumulative voting
Capture
Regulatory capture occurs when agencies serve industries they regulate. Interest groups cultivate close relationships with regulators. Capture undermines public interest objectives.
How do congressional oversight committees check bureaucracy?
Appointing judges
Issuing executive orders
Conducting foreign policy
Holding hearings and setting budgets
Congressional committees review agency operations through hearings and reports. They can adjust funding levels. This oversight ensures agencies follow legislative intent.
Which concept ensures that bureaucracy follows rule of law?
Stare decisis
Fiscal federalism
Administrative law
Certiorari
Administrative law governs agency rulemaking and adjudication. It provides legal checks on bureaucratic actions. It ensures due process and transparency.
What is a 'sunshine law'?
Statute banning political contributions
Act limiting free speech
Measure imposing tariffs
Law requiring open meetings by agencies
Sunshine laws mandate that certain proceedings of government agencies be open to the public. They promote transparency and accountability. Many states and the federal government have such provisions.
Which regulation procedure invites public comment before implementation?
Advice and consent
Ex parte communication
Pocket veto
Notice-and-comment rulemaking
Notice-and-comment rulemaking under the Administrative Procedure Act requires agencies to publish proposed rules. The public can submit comments. Agencies must consider feedback before finalizing rules.
What is the main purpose of independent regulatory commissions?
Conduct foreign relations
Regulate specific economic or social interests
Manage public lands
Pass federal statutes
Independent commissions like the FCC regulate industries and protect consumers. They are insulated from presidential control to ensure impartiality. They issue binding regulations and adjudicate disputes.
Which principle allows agencies to act only within authority granted by Congress?
Commerce clause
Delegation doctrine
Nondelegation doctrine
Supremacy clause
The nondelegation doctrine holds that Congress cannot transfer its legislative powers without clear guidance. Delegation allows agencies to fill in details under statutes. Proper delegation balances efficiency and accountability.
Which agency investigates allegations of civil service wrongdoing?
Office of Personnel Management
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Government Accountability Office
Office of Special Counsel
The Office of Special Counsel enforces the Hatch Act and investigates whistleblower complaints. It protects federal employees from prohibited personnel practices. OSC ensures enforcement of civil service laws.
Which doctrine limits courts in reviewing agency policy decisions based on expertise?
Strict scrutiny
Marbury v. Madison
Chevron deference
Rational basis
Chevron deference instructs courts to defer to reasonable agency interpretations of ambiguous statutes. It recognizes agency expertise in specialized areas. It has been a cornerstone of administrative law since 1984.
What is 'regulatory impact analysis'?
Judicial opinion summary
Campaign finance report
Evaluation of economic and social costs and benefits
Treasury budgeting document
Regulatory impact analysis assesses potential effects of proposed rules. It is required under executive orders to weigh costs versus benefits. It promotes informed decision-making.
Which Supreme Court case first articulated the nondelegation doctrine?
Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer
Marbury v. Madison
A.L.A. Schechter Poultry Corp. v. United States
McCulloch v. Maryland
Schechter Poultry (1935) invalidated broad legislative delegation under the NRA. The Court stressed limits on congressional delegation. It reinforced separation of powers.
What role does the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs play?
Review federal regulations for consistency and cost-benefit
Manage presidential travel
Oversee diplomatic security
Prosecute civil service violations
OIRA reviews draft regulations under executive orders. It ensures rules comply with law and consider economic impact. It coordinates interagency review.
Which theory sees bureaucracy as neutral administrators carrying out laws?
Marxist theory
Classical theory
Participatory theory
Public choice theory
Classical theory views bureaucrats as apolitical implementers of legislative and executive directives. It emphasizes hierarchy and rules. This model underpins much of civil service design.
What mechanism allows Congress to review major rules before they take effect?
Budget Reconciliation
Congressional Review Act
War Powers Resolution
Recess appointments
The Congressional Review Act of 1996 allows Congress to overturn new federal rules by joint resolution. It also requires agencies to submit rules for review. It enhances legislative oversight.
Which term describes the permanent executive workforce?
Political appointees
Contractors
Judicial clerks
Civil service
The civil service comprises career federal employees hired under merit principles. They provide expertise and continuity. They differ from temporary political appointees.
Which concept requires agencies to explain policy changes if new rules conflict with old ones?
Qualified immunity
Writ of certiorari
Arbitrary and capricious review
Ex post facto
Under the APA, courts may set aside agency actions deemed arbitrary and capricious. Agencies must justify policy reversals. They need to show reasoned analysis.
Which body sets pay rates for senior executive service members?
Office of Personnel Management
Congress
Supreme Court
Government Accountability Office
OPM establishes SES pay schedules and performance appraisal systems. It ensures fair compensation across agencies. It is part of civil service reform.
What is the 'administrative state'?
The network of federal agencies implementing policy
State governments' civil services
The Supreme Court and Congress together
Private sector regulatory bodies
The administrative state describes the permanent federal bureaucracy. It exercises delegated legislative, executive, and judicial functions. Debate continues over its constitutional legitimacy.
Which reform sought to strengthen accountability by linking pay to performance?
Patronage bonuses
Guaranteed tenure
Lifetime appointments
Performance-based pay in Senior Executive Service
The SES introduced performance appraisals tied to bonuses. It aimed to reward high-performing executives. Critics argue metrics can be politicized.
How did the Administrative Procedure Act of 1946 impact rulemaking?
Created the Congressional Budget Office
Defined the president's war powers
Abolished independent agencies
Established notice-and-comment and adjudication processes
The APA standardized federal rulemaking with formal procedures. It required agencies to publish proposed rules and invite comment. It also provided judicial review of agency actions.
Which test determines whether Congress has provided an intelligible principle in delegating power?
Intelligible principle test
Lemon test
Strict scrutiny test
Clear and present danger test
The intelligible principle test comes from J.W. Hampton Jr. & Co. v. United States (1928). It allows delegation if Congress outlines clear policy boundaries. Courts have rarely struck down statutes on nondelegation grounds.
Which Supreme Court case limited Chevron deference recently?
Citizens United v. FEC
West Virginia v. EPA
Golinski v. OPM
NFIB v. Sebelius
In West Virginia v. EPA (2022), the Court invoked the major questions doctrine to limit Chevron. It ruled agencies need clear congressional authorization for significant economic measures. This signals judicial skepticism toward broad deference.
What is the 'major questions doctrine'?
Test for constitutional amendments
Requirement of explicit congressional authorization for major policy issues
Mandate of bicameral passage for major bills
Rule requiring unanimous Senate consent
The doctrine holds agencies need explicit legislative authority for decisions with vast economic/political impact. It arose in cases like FDA v. Brown & Williamson. It limits administrative reach on significant issues.
Which instrument allows the president to reorganize executive agencies with congressional approval?
Line-item veto
Inherent powers memorandum
War Powers Resolution
Reorganization plan
Reorganization plans under the Reorganization Act let the president restructure agencies. Congress can disapprove within a set period. This tool streamlines executive branch functions.
Under the Administrative Conference of the United States, what is a recommendation report?
Annual budget proposal
Judicial decision summary
Senate confirmation timetable
Guidance on improving administrative procedures
ACUS issues recommendation reports to streamline rulemaking and adjudication. They reflect best practices across agencies. These nonbinding reports influence regulatory reform.
Which theory critiques bureaucracy as driven by self-interest and budget maximization?
Participatory governance theory
Structural-functional theory
New institutionalism
Public choice theory
Public choice theory applies economic principles to political behavior. It argues bureaucrats seek to maximize budgets and influence. This critique highlights agency inefficiencies.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand the Spoils System Definition -

    Grasp the core concept of the spoils system definition AP Gov and its origins in 19th-century American politics.

  2. Analyze Federal Policies -

    Examine key federal policies influenced by patronage and explore how political appointments shaped government actions in Chapters 14-16.

  3. Evaluate Bureaucratic Implementation -

    Assess how bureaucratic implementation questions reflect real-world challenges in enforcing policy through merit- and patronage-based hiring.

  4. Identify Revenue Sources -

    Recognize and categorize major revenue sources in AP Government quiz chapters 14-16, including taxation, tariffs, and fees.

  5. Apply Quiz Strategies -

    Utilize targeted study approaches for the federal policies quiz and revenue sources AP quiz to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses.

  6. Evaluate Civic Implications -

    Assess the long-term impact of the spoils system on democratic accountability and public trust in government institutions.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Origins of the Spoils System -

    The spoils system definition AP Gov traces back to Andrew Jackson's presidency, encapsulated by the phrase "to the victor go the spoils." Students can recall this by remembering that new administrations often rewarded loyalists, leading to large-scale turnover in federal offices (Britannica, 2024). A quick mnemonic is "VICTOR" (Various Incomes Turn Over by Reward).

  2. Pendleton Act and the Merit Reform -

    The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883 marked a shift from patronage to merit-based hiring, requiring exams and performance metrics (U.S. Office of Personnel Management). Think "MERIT" equals "Measured Evaluations Require Intentional Testing." This contrast is essential for an AP Government quiz chapters 14-16 question on how federal policies combat the spoils system.

  3. Impact on Federal Policies -

    Understanding how the spoils system disrupted continuity in policymaking helps answer federal policies quiz items; frequent turnover can stall long-term programs (Journal of Public Administration Research, 2022). For example, changing leadership in the Treasury Department often meant relearning revenue projections. Remember: "POLICY" stands for "People Often Lose Institutional Continuity Yearly."

  4. Revenue Sources and Patronage -

    Revenue sources AP quiz questions often link taxation, tariffs, and fees to bureaucratic funding; patronage positions could influence spending priorities (Congressional Budget Office). Use the acronym "TAX-FEE" (Tariffs, Appropriations, eXcise - Federal Excises, Etc.). Recognizing these ties reveals how spoils appointments might skew fiscal choices.

  5. Bureaucratic Implementation Challenges -

    Bureaucratic implementation questions often explore how patronage hires affect agency efficiency (OMB Reports, 2023). For instance, an EPA branch staffed through spoils may take longer to enforce regulations due to on-the-job training gaps. A helpful study tip is the "IMPLEMENT" formula: Individuals Lacking Expertise May Produce Errors, Necessitating Training.

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