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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Daley did not personally attack his opponent, but what was one of the things the Democratic Machine did during the election?

2. What organizations gave Richard Daley his most loyal support?

3. What talent of Richard Daley's earned him praise from Democrats around the country?

4. Why did some members of the Cook County Democratic Central Committee believe that Richard Daley was not suited for the position of Chairman?

5. When Joe McDonough was elected to County Treasurer, what happened to Richard Daley?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Mike Royko believe will come of the memory of Richard Daley's reign as Mayor of Chicago?

2. What types of jobs did ward committeemen hold?

3. What are some of the ethnic neighborhoods that Richard Daley passed through as he was being driven to work everyday that he was Mayor of Chicago?

4. What was the most notable contribution Richard Daley made to the Cook County Democratic Central Committee and how was it shown?

5. What was Richard Daley's first achievement as Mayor of Chicago in 1956?

6. What was a rumor the Democratic Machine spread about Alderman Robert Merriam to help Richard Daley's win the 1955 mayoral election?

7. What infamous Chicago event took place in 1919 the day after Richard Daley graduated from his post-high school training and why was it important to Daley's story?

8. Why did leading contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination of 1972 congratulate Richard Daley on his 1971 election victory?

9. How did Richard Daley become a candidate for his first election and for what party was he elected?

10. Who was Richard Daley's first opponent in the 1955 Chicago mayoral election and what made him a good candidate against Daley?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Richard Daley had many good characteristics, but he also used those characteristics in a way that they were corrupted. Write an expository essay on how Richard Daley used some very important character qualities to achieve a goal but allowed those qualities to be used for a system that was corrupted. Conclude your essay with whether or not you believe that corruption such as was ingrained in the Cook County Democratic Party can be cleaned up and how the positive character qualities of Richard Daley could have been used in that cause.

Essay Topic 2

Based upon what your read in "Boss: Richard J. Daley of Chicago," do you consider the goals of the Chicago desegregation movement to be for political power or for social access? Write an expository essay detailing your position. Use at least three examples from the book that support your view.

Essay Topic 3

How does Daley's personal history affect your view of politics and government? Does Daley's climb to power interest you to be involved in politics? Write a persuasive essay on what sort of characteristics are important for an elected official and why it is important to know the types of personal relationships that official keeps.

(see the answer keys)

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