How did the question of civil service reform contribute to divisions within the republican party?

Answer: The issue of civil service reform contributed to divisions within the Republican Party in the United States during the late 19th century. The divisions primarily stemmed from differing views on the patronage system, also known as the "spoils system," under which government jobs were awarded to loyal supporters of the winning political party. These positions were often given as rewards for political work rather than on the basis of merit or qualification.

One faction within the Republican Party, the Stalwarts, led by figures like Senator Roscoe Conkling, staunchly defended the spoils system. They believed that the dispensing of government jobs was a vital tool for maintaining a strong party machine and rewarding political loyalty.

On the other side was the Half-Breeds, a group led by politicians such as Senator James G. Blaine. This faction was more favorable to reforming the civil service, although their commitment to thorough reform was sometimes questioned. They believed that some transformation of the patronage system was necessary to improve efficiency and to cleanse government of corruption.

The division came to a head during the presidency of Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881), who made civil service reform a key part of his administration's agenda. The assassination of President James A. Garfield in 1881 by a disappointed office seeker further exacerbated the situation and highlighted the need for reform. Garfield's successor, Chester A. Arthur, despite being a former Stalwart, signed the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act into law in 1883, which established a merit-based system for federal employment and marked a significant step toward civil service reform.