Show The Knights of LaborDuring the late nineteenth century, many workers joined unions in hopes of improving their working conditions and wages. In just three years between 1877 and 1880, the number of national unions grew from three to eighteen. The Knights of Labor was one early labor union, organized in Philadelphia in 1871 by garment cutters. In its early days, the Knights of Labor was a a secret society, which fueled rumors in the press that they were dangerous or violent. The rumors were encouraged by factory owners who feared that organization of their workers would lead to strikes. Within a few years, the Knights of Labor expanded and allowed all workers to join. In 1878, they released this public statement about the goals of their society. No longer a secret society, the Knights of Labor grew into one of the largest labor unions in the United States. By 1886, the Knights of the Labor boasted 500,000 members. In this 1878 statement of goals, the Knights of Labor expressed concern about the accumulation of wealth by some people and the possible “pauperization,” or impoverishment, of workers. It called for the reduction of the workday to 8 hours; the prohibition of the employment of children under age fifteen in factories, workshops, and mines; equal pay for men and women; and other labor laws that we take for granted today. It also called for the use of arbitration, or negotiations, rather than strikes, to settle labor disputes. The Knights of Labor opened its first assembly in Raleigh in 1884 and expanded into most counties in North Carolina, but made little progress toward its goals in the state. Resistance from business managers limited its effectiveness. In addition, the fact that the union was open to both whites and blacks made it unpopular among many white southerners, who resisted the idea of social equality between blacks and whites. Preamble and Declaration of Principles of the Knights of Labor The alarming development and aggressiveness of great capitalistsHere a "capitalist" is someone who controls capital, the money and equipment needed for production, and who therefore controls the earnings of industry. and corporations, unless checked, will inevitably lead to the pauperization and hopeless degradation of the toiling masses. It is imperative, if we desire to enjoy the full blessings of life, that a check be placed upon unjust accumulation, and the power for evil of aggregated wealth. This much-desired object can be accomplished only by the united efforts of those who obey the divine injunction, "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread."This is (among other things) what God said to Adam and Eve when he threw them out of the Garden of Eden (King James Bible, Genesis 3:19). In Eden, they had not had to work for their food; now God was saying that they would now have to work for their food. The Knights of Labor were saying that industrial workers were obeying God's commandment -- but they implied that, by contrast, factory owners did not, because the owners merely profited from the sweat of others. Therefore we have formed the Order of the Knights of Labor, for the purpose of organizing and directing the power of the industrial masses, not as a political party, for it is moreLabor unions are often formally called "brotherhoods," and early labor unions genuinely meant that workers should be like brothers to one another. This is what the Knights of Labor meant by being "more" than a "political party" -- though politics would be necessary to achieve what they wanted. -- in it are crystalized sentiments and measures for the benefit of the whole people, but it should be borne in mind, when exercising the right of suffrage, that most of the objects herein set forth can only be obtained through legislation, and that it is the duty of all to assist in nominating and supporting with their votes only such candidates as will pledge their support to these measures, regardless of party. But no one shall, however, be compelled to vote with the majority, and calling upon all who believe in securing the greatest good to the greatest number, to join and assist us. Declaration of PrinciplesWe declare to the world that our aims are:
In order to secure these results we demand of the State"The State" with a capital S usually refers to the nation and its government in a general, formal way.:
And so demand at the hands of Congress:
And while making the foregoing demands upon the State and national government, we will endeavor to associate our own labors to:
Primary Source Citation: Preamble and declaration of principles of the Knights of Labor. 1878. David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Broadsides and Ephemera Collection, Duke University Libraries, Durham, N.C. https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/r4668bt1d ArtifactsThis 1886 poster displayed portraits of leaders of the Knights of Labor, along with scenes of workers. Songsheet for "Noble Knights of Labor" in Duke University Library's collection. What were the Knights of Labor?The Knights of Labor, founded in 1869, was the first major labor organization in the United States. The Knights organized unskilled and skilled workers, campaigned for an eight hour workday, and aspired to form a cooperative society in which laborers owned the industries in which they worked.
What was the Knights of Labor quizlet?Knights of Labor were members were skilled and unskilled workers, rallied for shorter work days, equal pay for men and women, and to end child labor. Its founding marked the beginning of union activism in the era. Both fought for worker's rights.
Why did Knights of Labor happen?Knights of Labor (KOL), the first important national labour organization in the United States, founded in 1869. Named the Noble Order of the Knights of Labor by its first leader, Uriah Smith Stephens, it originated as a secret organization meant to protect its members from employer retaliations.
What was the main goal of the labor unions of the late 19th century?On the other hand, “industrial unions” dominated the landscape of the late nineteenth century U.S. labor movement. Their goal was to organize all workers in a given industry regardless of skill level. Typically, they also disallowed discrimination based on race or national origin.
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