Historians Analyze Communalism and Religion as Driving Forces in Early Chicago Political Machine
Historians are examining the foundational role of communalism and religion in the early Chicago political machine, particularly through figures like John Powers. Powers, an Irish-born saloon and gambling house owner, exemplified the early machine's characteristics by acting as a protector of immigrant communities. He provided aid, such as turkeys at Christmas, and attended community events like wakes, carrying religious items. This generosity, while serving as a form of realpolitik to secure votes, fostered a strong sense of communal loyalty. The structure of the machine mirrored the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, with the head of the Democratic Party akin to the Pope, and committeemen and aldermen serving as local leaders. This system, deeply rooted in the communal survival strategies of European peasantry, was instrumental in the rise of mayors like Anton Cermak and Richard J. Daley.
