Knights of Labor

Definition

The Knights of Labor was one of the first significant labor organizations in the United States, founded in 1869. It aimed to unite all workers, regardless of skill level, gender, or race, advocating for social reforms, better working conditions, and the establishment of an eight-hour workday. The organization played a pivotal role in shaping the labor movement by promoting inclusive membership and pushing for legislative changes to improve workers' rights.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Knights of Labor initially operated as a secret society, emphasizing discretion among its members until it grew significantly in the mid-1880s.
2. Under the leadership of Terence V. Powderly, the Knights expanded its agenda to include social reforms like income tax and the regulation of monopolies.
3. The organization peaked in the mid-1880s, claiming a membership of over 700,000 workers by 1886, but began to decline after being associated with the violence of the Haymarket Affair.
4. The Knights of Labor promoted inclusivity, allowing women and African Americans to join, which was unique compared to many other labor organizations at the time.
5. Despite its decline, the Knights of Labor laid important groundwork for future labor movements and highlighted issues such as child labor and worker exploitation.

Review Questions

• How did the Knights of Labor approach inclusivity within the labor movement compared to other organizations at the time?
  • The Knights of Labor were groundbreaking in their approach to inclusivity by allowing membership regardless of skill level, gender, or race. This was particularly significant during a time when most labor organizations primarily represented skilled male workers. The organization believed that uniting all workers would strengthen their collective power and enable them to fight for broader social reforms and better working conditions.
• Evaluate the impact of the Haymarket Affair on public perception of the Knights of Labor and labor movements as a whole.
  • The Haymarket Affair had a profound negative impact on public perception of the Knights of Labor, associating them with violence and radicalism. The event led to widespread fear about labor unrest, causing many people to view organized labor movements with suspicion. As a result, this backlash contributed to a decline in membership for the Knights and set back their efforts for social reforms.
• Assess the long-term significance of the Knights of Labor's efforts on later labor organizations in America.
  • The long-term significance of the Knights of Labor's efforts can be seen in how they laid a foundation for future labor organizations like the American Federation of Labor (AFL). Their focus on inclusivity and broad social reforms raised awareness about various workers' rights issues. While they faced setbacks due to violence associated with their movement, their advocacy for an eight-hour workday and better working conditions influenced later negotiations and policies that shaped labor rights in America.

Related terms

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

Haymarket Affair: A violent confrontation between police and labor protestors in Chicago in 1886 that became a pivotal moment for the labor movement and led to anti-labor sentiment.

Collective Bargaining: The process by which workers negotiate with employers to establish the terms of employment, such as wages, hours, and working conditions.