In the Progressive Era, what principle guided city appointments?

• A. Patronage
• B. Merit-based appointments
• C. Hereditary
• D. Random selection

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is that city jobs were to go to the most qualified people, not to political supporters. In the Progressive Era, reformers pushed civil service reforms to curb corruption and reduce the influence of political machines by using exams, qualifications, and performance records to fill municipal appointments. This merit-based approach aimed for efficient, competent administration and greater accountability. Patronage relies on political loyalty, which the era sought to move away from; hereditary and random selection don’t reflect the push for professional, qualified civil service in cities.