The pendleton act was created in response to the
(a) whiskey ring scandal
(b) colfax massacre
(c) battle of wounded knee
(d) battle of little big horn
(e) assassination of president garfi eld

The Pendleton Act was created in response to the "(E) Assassination of President Garfield," since this Act sought to make all government jobs be appointed on the basis of merit instead of political affiliation. (A dispute over a position of this sort was that cause of the President's assassination.)