Knights of Labor

Definition

The Knights of Labor was one of the first major labor organizations in the United States, founded in 1869. This secret society aimed to unite all workers, regardless of skill level, race, or gender, to advocate for better working conditions, fair wages, and an eight-hour workday. The organization's inclusive approach marked a significant shift in labor activism during a time of rapid industrialization and the rise of big business.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Knights of Labor grew rapidly in the 1880s, boasting over 700,000 members at its peak in 1886, making it one of the largest labor organizations of its time.
2. The organization promoted social reforms such as the establishment of cooperatives and the prohibition of child labor as part of their broader vision for societal change.
3. The Knights of Labor operated on a more inclusive model than other labor unions, allowing women and African Americans to join, which was rare for that era.
4. Their decline began after the Haymarket Affair in 1886, which associated the Knights with violence and radicalism in the eyes of the public and employers.
5. Despite its decline, the Knights set the stage for future labor movements by emphasizing solidarity among workers and raising awareness about workers' rights.

Review Questions

• How did the Knights of Labor's approach to labor activism differ from that of other contemporary labor organizations?
  • The Knights of Labor distinguished itself from other labor organizations by embracing an inclusive approach that welcomed all workers, regardless of skill level, race, or gender. Unlike the American Federation of Labor, which primarily focused on skilled laborers, the Knights aimed to unite all workers into a single movement. This broader perspective allowed them to address not only immediate workplace issues but also social reforms that impacted the wider community.
• Discuss the impact of the Haymarket Affair on public perception of the Knights of Labor and the labor movement as a whole.
  • The Haymarket Affair significantly altered public perception of the Knights of Labor by linking them to violence and radicalism. After a bomb was thrown during a labor rally in Chicago, killing several people, media coverage portrayed the Knights as extremists. This incident led to a decline in membership and support for the organization, as many people began to associate labor activism with chaos rather than reform. Consequently, it set back the progress made by the Knights and tainted the reputation of labor movements in general.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of the Knights of Labor on subsequent labor movements in America.
  • The long-term effects of the Knights of Labor on future labor movements are evident in their emphasis on worker solidarity and advocacy for social reforms. Despite their decline after events like the Haymarket Affair, they laid foundational ideas that would be revisited by later organizations such as the American Federation of Labor. Their inclusive model inspired subsequent movements to push for broader rights across different demographics. Moreover, their focus on collective bargaining would become a key strategy employed by later unions to negotiate better working conditions and wages for workers.

Related terms

American Federation of Labor (AFL): A national federation of labor unions founded in 1886 that focused on skilled workers and sought to improve wages and working conditions through collective bargaining.

Haymarket Affair: A violent confrontation between police and labor protesters in Chicago in 1886 that became a pivotal event in the labor movement and led to a backlash against labor organizations.

Collective Bargaining: The process by which workers, through their unions, negotiate with employers to establish terms of employment, including wages, hours, and working conditions.