Hatch Act

High school (ages 12+)
People & Society

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/hatch-act

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the original legislative title?An Act to Prevent Pernicious Political Activities
2. What is the date of passage?August 2, 1939
3. What is the Hatch Act and why was it made?The Hatch Act is a law that stops government workers from using their jobs to help a political party. It was created in 1939 to keep jobs fair and stop people from being pressured to support politics.
4. Who helped create the Hatch Act?Senator Carl Hatch from New Mexico helped write the law. He wanted to keep government workers from being asked to do politics for their jobs.

Patronage: The power to award jobs or other political favors to supporters.
Coercion: The practice of persuading someone to do something by using force or threats.
Merit System: A system of public employment in which selection and promotion are based on demonstrated ability and knowledge.
Partisan Political Office: An elected position that is officially associated with a political party.