Curated OER
Gilded Age Politics
Whisk your students through the politics of the Gilded Age with this presentation, which features the contexts and characteristics of the 1880-1888 Presidential Elections. Clever political cartoons and clear, concise bullet points about...
Northern Illinois University
Teaching Future Historians: Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act
Find the text of the Pendleton Act that was adopted to regulate and improve civil service in the United States government. This law as passed as a result of the assassination of James Garfield by a disgruntled man who felt he deserved...
Northern Illinois University
Teaching Future Historians: Civil Service Reform: Senate Debates
Here is a terrific lesson plan that involves all students in examining the reasons Senators had for and against civil service reform following the assassination President Garfield. All the source materials are available for the lesson as...
US National Archives
Our Documents: Pendleton Act
A nice site about the Pendleton Act allows you to view a large image of the actual document itself, gives the transcript to the document, and provides background information about the Act.
US National Archives
Our Documents: Pendleton Act (1883)
The passage of the Pendleton Act was a reaction to assassination of President James A. Garfield. Find the text of the act and read a discussion of why such a law is necessary. An image of the document and a transcript of the law are...
Other
Complaints About Wealthy Donors' Influence on Candidates
An article that discusses the Pendleton Act of 1883, both historically and in the context of modern politics.
Other
Kingwood Library: American Cultural History: 1880 1889
The 1880's in America were chock full of new architecture, technologies, businesses, modern conveniences such as gas and electric, operas, fashions, and much more as featured in this resource.
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Chester Alan Arthur
This Miller Center site is the portal for a great deal of information about Chester A. Arthur and his presidency. You can find a brief biography of Arthur, biographies of the members of his cabinet, an archive of his state of the nation...
Harp Week
Harp Week Explore History: Chester A. Arthur
This biography of Chester A. Arthur concentrates on his time as Collector of the New York Customhouse, and despite his use of the patronage system, when he became president, he became a civil service reformer.
Digital History
Digital History: Civil Service Reform
Describes the problem of political patronage among government employees, that led to the passing of the Pendleton Act under President Chester Arthur. The Act brought in a merit system for employment in a government job.
USA Today
Campaign Finance: A Closer Look at the Pendleton Act and President Clinton
A newspaper article that explains the Pendleton Act and why President Clinton may have broken the law. (10/14/97)
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Spoils System
Wikipedia provides information on the spoils system, a method of appointing officials to the U.S. government based on political connections.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act
Wikipedia provides an encyclopedia article on the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act.
Ohio History Central
Ohio History Central: Pendleton Act
A brief accounting of why the Pendleton Act was passed, and what were the duties of the Civil Service Commission.