Pendleton Civil Service Act Flashcards

Study Notes

Pendleton Civil Service Act, 1883

Established to ensure government jobs were filled based on merit, not political connections.
Introduced competitive exams for selecting government employees.
Made it illegal to fire or demote employees for political reasons.
Led to the creation of the U.S. Civil Service Commission to enforce the merit system.

Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890

Required the Treasury to purchase larger quantities of silver at inflated prices beyond the Bland-Allison Act.
Contributed to the devaluation of silver, causing a run on federal gold reserves.
Resulted in the Panic of 1893 and was repealed in the same year.

McKinley Tariff

Enacted in 1890, increased protective tariffs by nearly 50%.
This tariff represented the highest rates on imports in U.S. history.

Boss Tweed

William Tweed led NYC's Tammany Hall political machine in the late 1860s.
Caught for defrauding the city with inflated project costs; a courthouse costing $3 million built at a taxpayer expense of $13 million.

A late 19th to early 20th-century movement.
Emphasized social responsibility and charity as pathways to salvation.

Hull House

Settlement home established as a welfare agency for impoverished families.
Focused on social and educational opportunities, aimed at improving conditions caused by poverty.

Salvation Army

Welfare organization founded in England and brought to the U.S. in 1880.
Aimed to assist the urban poor with food, shelter, and employment while promoting temperance and moral living.

YMCA/YWCA

Originated in England in 1841, established in the U.S. in 1851.
Catered to rural Americans adjusting to urban life post-Civil War, providing housing and recreational facilities with strict supervision.

New Stock Immigrants

Refers to immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe who arrived mainly between 1880 and 1920.
Predominantly Catholic demographic.

Ellis Island

Opened in 1892 as an immigrant receiving station.
Conducted medical examinations with entry granted only to those deemed healthy.

Frederick Winslow Taylor

Lived from 1856 to 1915, pioneered scientific management practices.
Advocated for efficiency in business using empirical studies of work processes.
Authored multiple texts on scientific management.

Robert M. LaFollette

Political leader and reformer active in the Progressive movement from Wisconsin.
Known for his advocacy of libertarian reforms and skilled debating.

Ida Tarbell

Prominent muckraker recognized for exposing oil industry corruption.
Authored "A History of Standard Oil" in 1904, which was influential in reform efforts.

Lincoln Steffens

Journalist associated with the muckraking movement in the early 20th century.
Critiqued urbanization in his series "Shame of the Cities" published in McClure's Magazine.

Description

Test your knowledge of the Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883 with these flashcards. Learn about the historical context, implications for government employment, and how this law was a response to political patronage. A great resource for students studying American history and civil service reforms.