a) Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act

The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, passed in 1883, reformed the patronage system in U.S. government employment. This legislation established that government jobs should be awarded based on merit, not political affiliation, and led to the creation of the Civil Service Commission. The act was a response to growing public demand for government reform following the assassination of President James Garfield by a disgruntled office-seeker. It laid the foundation for modern civil service and marked a significant step toward professionalizing government service.