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Formation of the Knights of Labor
The Knights of Labor was the name of a labor union that gained widespread support in the United States, especially in the 1880s. By 1886, the total membership reached over 800,000. It's most important leader was Terence V. Powderly. They had an open membership policy allowing women, immigrants, and African Americans. They failed due to the Haymarket Square Riot and being connected to anarchist groups as well. They were idealists who wanted to eliminate conflict between labor and management. -
Railroad Strike of 1877
The Railroad Strike of 1877 involved workers of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad walking off the job at Camden Junction, Maryland. This collaborative strike, characteristic of labor unions of the time, resulted in a shutdown of thousands of miles of railway. -
Haymarket Square Riot
A riot broke out after a bomb exploded in Haymarket square in Chicago during a labor union strike. This was an overall setback to the cause, as many members of the knights of labor were labeled as anarchists or socialists. -
American Federation of Labor (AFL)
The American Federation of Labor (AFL) was led by Samuel Gompers. The AFL was an organization that welcomed skilled, white workers in the labor union. They advocated for higher pay, shorter hours, and better working conditions. They would often lead to violence in some of their strikes. The AFL started the Pullman Strike. It is still present today. This organization is successful. -
Homestead Steel Strike and Battle
In June of 1892, Chairman of Carnegie Steel Henry Frick shut down a large factory, fired his workers and proceeded to lock all employees out of the building. As a result, a violent uprising occurred in which armed workers clashed with Pinkerton forces at the factory in a fourteen hour battle. Seven steel workers and three Pinkerton detectives were killed. It succeed after months of strikes. Most of the people were arrested for murder. Carnegie Steel soon implemented longer hours and lower wages. -
Pullman Strike
The Pullman Palace Car Company cut wages to workers while having the same rent prices in their company town. 1,200 workers lived in the company town. This caused the workers and the AFL to revolt against the Pullman Palace Car Company. The company stopped a large portion of the railroad production. The strike ended when federal troops were sent in by President Cleveland. The troops were sent to protect rail-carried mail, but struck down the strike as well. This was a unsuccessful strike. -
Industrial Workers of the World (IWW)
The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) was led by "Mother" Jones, Elizabeth Flynn, and Bill Haywood. It embraced class conflict and supported violence. Their membership was open to all who were not apart of craft unions. They never exceeded 150,000 workers. Their motto was "An injury to one is an injury to all." The organization collapsed during World War 1.
