How did the spoils system work?

The spoils system, also known as patronage, was a practice where a political party, after winning an election, would give government jobs to its supporters, friends, and relatives as a reward for working toward victory, and as an incentive to keep working for the party—as opposed to a merit system, where offices are awarded on the basis of some measure of merit, be it educational qualifications, experience, or aptitude.

The term was derived from the phrase "to the victor belong the spoils" by New York Senator William L. Marcy, referring to the victory of Andrew Jackson in the Presidential election of 1828. Jackson's administration employed the system extensively, arguing that it democratized government by allowing any citizen to hold office.

Here is how it worked: 1. After a political party won an election, government positions would become available as a form of reward. 2. The winning party would use these positions as incentives to ensure loyalty among its supporters and to encourage continued support. 3. Individuals who supported the party, including campaign workers, friends, and other affiliates, were appointed to positions regardless of their qualifications. 4. Often, incumbents were removed from office to make way for the new appointees. This often led to a rotation in office, as employees could be replaced whenever a new party came into power.

One of the issues with the spoils system was that it often led to corruption and inefficiency. Without the need for qualifications or merit, many government officials were simply not fit for the positions they were given. The tendency to appoint friends and relatives regardless of their suitability for the job sometimes led to abuses of power and cronyism.