Awarding of cabinet positions by jackson involved: a. experience, b. aptitude, c. patronage, d. probation

The correct answer is C) Patronage.

Andrew Jackson appointed indviduals to positions within the federal government based on their loyalty and support during the election. This idea of rewarding loyal Democrats to government positions is known as the spoils system. Many opponents of Jackson saw this as a gross abuse of power and extremely unfair to the federal officials that Jackson fired.

in 1897, pershing became a tactical officer at west point, and that's where he was given the nickname "black jack." pershing's first name is "john," for which "jack" is a nickname, and he was a white man who commanded black troops. hence "black jack".