Chicago Political
Machines and the
Kelly Nash
Machine
1933 - 1947
Political Machine
• A political machine is
a party organization
that is headed by a
single boss or a small
autocratic group that
commends enough
votes to maintain
political and
administrative control
of a city, county, or
state.
Political Machines
 A political machine is a party organization that recruits
its members by the use of tangible incentives: money,
political jobs and that is characterized by a high degree
of leadership control over member activity.
 "Political machine" started as a grass-roots campaign to
gain the patronage needed to win the modern election.
Having strong patronage, these "clubs" were the main
driving force in gaining and getting out the "straight
party vote" in the election districts.
Chicago Political Machines Background
• The second half of the 19th
century and the first thirty years
of the 20th saw great ethic and
class divides among political
parties
• Migration patterns of different
groups further contributed to
such division
• Several mayors were implicated
in illegal activities, but never
convicted
• Organized crime was allowed to
flourish, giving way to figures
such as Al Capone
The Machine
• The Democratic Machine came into
being under the leadership of
Anton Cermak
• Bohemian immigrant with a
working class background
• Was elected mayor in 1931,
defeating incumbent Republican
William Hale “Big Bill” Thompson
• Brought representatives in from the
German, Jewish, Polish and Czech
communities
• Was assassinated in 1933
Kelly-Nash
 After Cermak’s death, Democratic
party chairman Patrick A. Nash pushed
for Edward J. Kelly
 As mayor, Kelly was a staunch
supporter of the New Deal and used
federal funds to better the city
 Acquired additional financial resources
from organized crime for turning a
blind eye
 Worked to better the living situation
for Chicago’s growing black community
by favoring integrated schools and
public housing
 Helped set up the party’s alliance with
ethnic and racial minorities
Changes
• In 1947, Kelly was forced to
retire by his own party, because
of his progressive views
• His replacement was Martin H.
Kennelly
• Served two terms, but was
ousted in 1955, because of
being considered too
independent
• Replacement was Richard J.
Daley, who ended up serving
until his death in 1976