Before the civil service act of 1883, how were government appointments handled? appointments were made on the basis of merit. appointments were made on the basis of seniority. appointments were made to political supporters as part of a spoils system. the civil service act of 1883 created the first federal bureaucracy.

appointments were made to political supporters as part of a spoils system.

Government positions were given to those who helped gain votes for the winning political candidate. This worked with the boss system in particular in urban areas. Votes were traded for government jobs. 

The Civil Service Act required government jobs be appointed based on merit. civil service exams were instituted and people had to prove they could perform the job instead of just supporting the right candidate.