American Federation of Labor and Knights of Labor

American Federation of Labor and Knights of Labor By: Jacob Geller Eric Wertheim

Knights of Labor: Founded • It was founded in 1869. • It was founded by Frank Foster. • It was founded after the Civil War because of bad working conditions. • They picked up where the National Labor Union left off. • It was made up of trades and industries.

Ideals • In 1882 they began advocating for workers rights publicly. • They were characterized by their lofty ideals and goals. • Such As: – Higher wages – Shorter work days – Better working conditions They were characterized by their lofty ideals and goals. Motto: ‘An injury for one is an injury for all”

Members • In 1886 they had 750, 000 members. • African Americans and women were allowed in the organization. • The AFL stole many of their members.

American Federation of Labor: Founded • • • It was founded by Samuel Gompers. It was founded in 1886. Gompers held the position for 38 years. It was a combination of national craft unions. It was an “aristocracy” of labor.

Ideals • They had limited goals to what was achievable. • They fought for: better wages, shorter hours, working conditions, right of collective bargaining, job ownership, immigration curbs, relief from technological unemployment, labor legislation, collaboration with members and creation of a union work place for its members.

Gompers • “Of the working people, for the working people, by the working people. ” Samuel Gompers to Mc. Clure’s Magazine • He opposed radicals and theorists.

Members • • In 1901 they had 1 million members In 1917 they had 2. 5 million members. In 1924 they had 3 million members. They became their own political party.