Voter demands for patronage reform in politics escalated after which event?

The assassination of President James Garfield in 1881 significantly escalated voter demands for patronage reform in American politics. Garfield’s assassination was carried out by Charles Guiteau, a disgruntled office seeker who believed he was owed a government position as a reward for supporting Garfield's election. This event highlighted the problems associated with the patronage system, where political appointments were made based on political connections rather than merit.

Following Garfield's assassination, there was a growing recognition of the need for reforms to address corruption and inefficiency in government hiring practices. This culminated in the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883, which established a merit-based system for federal employment and aimed to reduce the influence of patronage. As a result, Garfield's assassination is directly associated with the push for these significant reforms in the political landscape of the United States, making it a pivotal event in the history of political patronage.