Over time, the spoils system developed into a
a. merit-based system.
b. political reform movement.
c. political machine system.
d. civil service movement.

Over time, the spoils system developed into a merit- based system. The correct option among all the options that is given in the question is option "a". The spoils system had several drawbacks since the system was not based on merit of the person holding the government position. In the spoils system, it was a practice for the party winning elections to select their family members or those that helped the party to win elections get permanent jobs. These jobs even included holding powerful positions in the government. The demerits of this system forced United States to slowly but surely embrace the merit based system where people used to get jobs based on their own merit.