what were the tactics of the knights of labor

• An eight-hour work day
• Termination of Child Labor
• Termination of the convict contract labor system (the concern was not for the prisoners; the Knights of Labor opposed competition from this cheap source of labor)
• Establishment of cooperatives to replace the traditional wage system and help tame capitalism's excesses
• Equal pay for equal work

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Full Answer

What was one goal of the Knights of Labor?

The Knights of Labor was one of the most important early labor organizations in the United States. It wanted to organize workers into "one big brotherhood" rather than into separate unions made up of workers who had a common skill or who worked in a particular industry.

What was the major goal of the Knights of Labor?

What were the goals of the Knights of Labor? The Knights of Labor was a union founded in 1869. The Knights pressed for the eight-hour work day for laborers, and embraced a vision of a society in which workers, not capitalists, would own the industries in which they labored. The Knights also sought to end child labor and convict labor.

How did the Knights of Labor achieve their goals?

The Knights of Labor sought to attain their goals primarily through boycotts and peaceful negotiations. Powderly generally opposed strikes, believing that they only led to bloodshed and increased tensions. Other Knights of Labor leaders preferred utilizing strikes.

Was the Knights of Labor a success or fail?

The Knights of Labor, originally organized by Uriah S. Stevens, was initially successful. The Knights organization ultimately failed due to lack of organization and disagreement within its ranks.

What did the Knights of Labor do?

The Knights of Labor recruited workers in a wide variety of industries. It then coordinated strikes, negotiations, and other efforts to secure work...

What was the Knights of Labor organization?

The Knights of Labor was an organization that advocated for the rights of American workers during the Gilded Age. It was one of the first large-sca...

What were the main goals of the Knights of Labor?

The Knights of Labor worked to make the labor environment safer and less exploitative across many industries. They also tried to increase unionizat...

Did the Knights of Labor achieve their goals?

The Knights of Labor achieved many of their goals, especially at the height of their membership. They also made lasting impacts on the labor landsc...

What was the Knights of Labor's theme?

WXT (Theme) In the late nineteenth century, the Knights of Labor attempted to organize workers of all kinds into a union to improve working hours and conditions for laborers.

Who led the Knights of Labor?

Most earlier unions restricted membership to skilled laborers (those with specialized training in a craft) and to white men. Led by Terence V. Powderly, the Knights welcomed unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled workers into their ranks. Immigrants, African Americans and women were also welcome as members. In the 1870s and 1880s, the Knights of Labor found support among coalminers in Pennsylvania, and among railroad workers following a successful 1885 strike against the Wabash Railroad.

What was the first major labor organization in the United States?

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. The Knights’ membership collapsed following ...

What problems did the Knights face?

Anarchy and violence weren't the only problems the Knights faced. It also proved difficult to organize unskilled workers, as owners could easily replace them if they went on strike. Skilled workers, whose specialized knowledge gave them a leg up in bargaining with owners, began to believe that their alliance with unskilled laborers was hindering, rather than helping, their cause.

Why do labor unions exist?

Labor unions attempt to reconcile the disparity in resources between large businesses and individual workers in order to improve the conditions of workers. Unions are organizations of workers who join together as a group to bargain with the owners of the businesses that employ them. Unions bargain with owners for higher wages, shorter hours, ...

How many anarchists were arrested in the aftermath of the bombing?

In the aftermath, eight anarchists were charged with preaching incendiary doctrines and sentenced to long prison terms or death, though there was no evidence tying them directly to the bombing. In addition, the public came to associate the Knights with anarchism and violence. Membership in the organization collapsed.

Why are unions important?

Unions are valuable to their members because they protect individual workers’ jobs and enforce ongoing labor-management contracts.

What is the Knights of Labor?

Knights of Labor. The Knights of Labor began as a secret society of tailors in Philadelphia in 1869. The organization grew slowly during the hard years of the 1870s, but worker militancy rose toward the end of the decade, especially after the great railroad strike of 1877, and the Knights’ membership rose with it.

How many Knights of Labor were there in 1886?

By the beginning of 1886, there were 700,000 Knights of Labor.

What was the name of the organization that Stephens created to help the garment cutters?

Stephens explained to them his vision for an organization, “The Noble and Holy Order of the Knights of Labor ,” whose members would be sworn to secrecy, and follow rituals comparable to Masonry.

How long did it take for the Knights of Labor to rescind the pay reduction?

As Matthew Hild recounts in Greenbackers, Knights of Labor and Populists, it only took four days for the railroad bosses to rescind the pay reduction. When the railroad tried the same move three months later, the Knights launched another strike, and forced the company to concede defeat in just five days and restore workers’ pay. Shortly afterward, the Knights waged even bigger successful strikes in 1984-85 against the Wabash Railroad and Southwest railroad system controlled by financier Jay Gould.

What happened in the Haymarket Square riots?

Haymarket Square Riot. When a bomb explosion at a workers’ rally in Haymarket Square May 4 triggered a national wave of arrests and repression, labor activism of every kind suffered a setback, and the Knights were particularly–though unfairly–singled out for blame. By 1890, the membership had fallen to 100,000.

What did Stephens believe about the workers?

Stephens’ experiences as a worker led him to believe that massive changes in society were necessary. It wasn’t just enough for a group of workers at one company to strike for higher wages, he believed. Instead, all wage-earners had to be brought together into a single organization, which could then fight for the interests of them all.

When did the Gould system strike again?

But when the workers struck the Gould system again in the spring of 1886 , they were badly beaten. Meanwhile, other members of the Knights participated–again, over Powderly’s objections–in the general strike that began in Chicago on May 1, 1886.

What is the Knights of Labor?

Knights of Labor ( K of L ), officially Noble and Holy Order of the Knights of Labor, was an American labor federation active in the late 19th century, especially the 1880s. It operated in the United States as well in Canada, and had chapters also in Great Britain and Australia. Its most important leader was Terence V. Powderly. The Knights promoted the social and cultural uplift of the worker, and demanded the eight-hour day. In some cases it acted as a labor union, negotiating with employers, but it was never well organized or funded. It was notable in its ambition to organize across lines of gender and race and in the inclusion of both skilled and unskilled labor. After a rapid expansion in the mid-1880s, it suddenly lost its new members and became a small operation again. The Knights of Labor served as the first mass organization of the working class of the United States.

What was the role of the Knights of Labor in the 1880s?

During the 1880s, the Knights of Labor played a huge role in independent and third-party movements.

How many members were in the Knights of Labor?

It was founded by Alley Thomas on December 28, 1869, reached 28,000 members in 1880, then jumped to 100,000 in 1884. By 1886, 20% of all workers were affiliated, nearly 800,000 members. Its frail organizational structure could not cope as it was battered by charges of failure and violence and calumnies of the association with the Haymarket Square riot. Most members abandoned the movement in 1886–1887, leaving at most 100,000 in 1890. Many opted to join groups that helped to identify their specific needs, instead of the KOL which addressed many different types of issues. The Panic of 1893 terminated the Knights of Labor's importance. Remnants of the Knights of Labor continued in existence until 1949, when the group's last 50-member local dropped its affiliation.

What did Powderly and the Knights support?

In 1883, Powderly officially recommended George's book and announced his support of "single tax" on land values.

Why did the Knights of Labor support the Chinese Exclusion Act?

The Knights of Labor supported the Chinese Exclusion Act because it believed that industrialists were using Chinese workers as a wedge to keep wages low.

Why did the Knights use secrecy?

The Knights used secrecy and deception to help prevent employers from firing members. After the Archbishop of Quebec condemned the Knights in 1884, twelve American archbishops voted 10 to 2 against doing likewise in the United States. Furthermore, Cardinal James Gibbons and Bishop John Ireland defended the Knights.

When did the Knights of Labor leave?

Many opted to join groups that helped to identify their specific needs, instead of the KOL which addressed many different types of issues. The Panic of 1893 terminated the Knights of Labor's importance.

Why were the Knights important?

In Washington state's mining towns, the Knights served as an umbrella organization which advocated for better working conditions, wages, services offered in the company towns, living conditions, schools, etc.[18] Knights membership soared as it tangled with the Oregon Improvement Company and attacked Chinese workers. .[19] The Knights were seen by White workers as an effective labor organization because of their successes in driving Chinese workers out of communities in 1885. As the Knights grew their influence in King County, the OIC prepared to strike back. With Chinese employees now gone from the mines and most other jobs, OIC manager John Howard vowed that the company would not “submit again to the ‘dictation of a lot of demagogues and scum’—his vivid description of the Knights”.[20]

What led to the strike of the miners in 1891?

Disagreements over wages and benefits between the Oregon Improvement Company and its miners led to frequent strikes which were to be answered by the recruitment of over five hundred Midwestern African American miners in the Spring of 1891. Their passage from the Midwest to Washington was secured by the Oregon Improvement Company ...

What did the KOL think of the OIC?

In dealing with the OIC’s recruitment of African American miners, the KOL thought that the tactics they used during the anti-Chinese campaign would bring them success again. In doing so they missed the opportunity to ally themselves with the African American miners as a united front against the OIC. Booker T. Washington, once a coal miner himself said that “race prejudice is a two-edged sword, and it is not to the advantage of organized labor to produce among the Negroes a prejudice and fear of union labor such as to create in this country a race of strike breakers.”[61] The national leadership of the Knights of Labor understood this. Their western affiliates did not.

Why did the Miners Union riot in 1889?

A riot took place on January 3rd, 1889, once again because a Miners Union employee was assigned as a worksite foreman the prior week.

Why did the Oregon Improvement Company exploit the labor of a marginalized group of Chinese immigrants?

The Oregon Improvement Company was exploiting the labor of a marginalized group of Chinese immigrants and this stoked the anger of White workers—not because it was unjust, but because it effectively marginalized the Whites’ own ability to bargain for fair wages. That is, if the Chinese laborers worked for less pay than the Whites, there would be no incentive for the OIC to hire White workers for those same jobs. The White workers, many of whom were members of the Knights of Labor, blamed the Chinese laborers for being stealing their jobs rather than focusing blame at the OIC for discriminatory practices based on ethnicity. This dynamic of where to place blame foreshadowed the problems that faced African American miners when they arrived a few years later. .As historian Carlos Schwantes states, the labor movement was in its formative years during the 1880’s in Washington Territory and “one lesson was that in a young and impatient society, radical action might offer a quick solution to the complex social and economic problems vexing the industrial world”, and “the Knights of Labor was largely predicated on that assertion”.[17]

How did Chinese immigrants exploit the labor market?

The backbreaking process of laying rails was done by Chinese workers as Washington saw a thirteenfold increase in Chinese immigrants between 1870 and 1880.[5] However, once the major Northwest rail lines were completed “the Chinese were thrown on the labor market, creating an unemployment problem in urban areas”.[6] The Chinese workers were feared by White workers not only because of their reputation for being reliable and hard-working laborers, but also because business owners often drove wages down by paying the Chinese less money than their White counterparts.[7] The Knights of Labor in particular chose to stoke sinophobic fears rather than growing their membership by recruiting the Chinese workers among their ranks.

Who ordered troops to Newcastle?

Fearing the return of violence at Newcastle, Colonel John C. Haines of the Washington Territory National Guard ordered a detachment of troops to report to Newcastle. This action doesn’t seem strange except that John Haines was also the head attorney for the Oregon Improvement Company, and as a Colonel he was not at liberty to deploy militia without official orders from Territorial Governor Eugene Semple. What’s more, a number of armed private detectives from William C. Sullivan’s Thiel Detective Agency were ordered by the OIC and began to pour into Newcastle. Upon arriving, they were deputized as United States Marshals of Washington Territory.[27] When Governor Semple learned about this he was angered and set out to learn why Col Haines ordered troops to Newcastle without his approval. The Governor was also uneasy with the prospect of an armed private security force—accountable only to the OIC—occupying a community in his Territory.

What were the end goals of the unions?

The end goals were to advocate for workers and better conditions, wages, and hours. The goals of the unions were innocent and had the best intentions however, violence was brought into the equations and led to a distaste for the unions.

Why did light work?

Lights allowed people to work later or earlier and not just when the sun was out. This meant more could be produced and things could be made in less time. The phone allowed for people to order things over the phone and reach place that were not within their normal reach.

How did industrialization lead to the creation of new things?

Industrialization lead to the creation of new things which sparked excitement but also lead to new technologies . The technologies lead to more advancements and more industrializing. Industrializing created more and bigger factories that lead people to move toward urban areas. The excitement inticed people to immigrate over.

How did industrialization affect the upper class?

Industrialization made it so now any class could could keep up with the upper class. However the new techniques such as credit made it so that it played with the finance of the average person and led to more distress than benefit.

What was it like to be an American at the turn of the century?

To be an American at the turn of the century was all about becoming just like everyone else. Now things were cheaper so they were easier to access at any income level and anywhere in the country almost.

Which group of immigrants were more skilled and able to find better paying employment?

Southern and eastern European immigrants were, on the whole, more skilled and able to find better paying employment.

Did the management listen to the unions requests?

The management did not listen to the unions requests and instead tried to replace the workers in order to continue the work of the factory. They did not work toward better wages or conditions. The laborers usually lashed out violently and did not gain any support and ended up making no strides forward and resulted in laborers begging for their jobs back.

Why did the bringing together of capital and labor into small cooperatives harmonize the interests of labor and capital?

The bringing together of capital and labor into small cooperatives was believed to harmonize the interests of labor and capital and avoid the problems of monopoly.

How did the labor movement establish a precedent?

Established a precedent for the labor movement by uniting diverse unions into a single federation.

What are some of the pre-factory occupations?

Mainly craft unions of pre-factory occupations such as painters, plumbers, and railroad engineers, some craft occupations in factory settings, especially iron molders and machinists.

What was the strike in 1877?

A railroad worker uprising where workers on many railroads went on strike (blocking tracks or taking over locations) on July of 1877 and large sections of the country was affected.

What are short term actions triggered by specific complains, such as a strike by fishermen in 1636?

Short-term actions triggered by specific complains, such as a strike by fishermen in 1636 protesting the withholding of a year's wages or a strike by journeymen tailors in 1786 protesting a reduction in wages.

Why were wages and working conditions important?

Decent wages and working conditions were important because they served, in the words of one Grand Master, the divine nature of man.

When did shoe makers form the first union?

Not until the 1790s did Philadelphia shoe makers form the first permanent union.

Overview

Knights of Labor (K of L), officially Noble and Holy Order of the Knights of Labor, was an American labor federation active in the late 19th century, especially the 1880s. It operated in the United States as well in Canada, and had chapters also in Great Britain and Australia. Its most important leader was Terence V. Powderly. The Knights promoted the social and cultural uplift of the worker, and demanded the eight-hour day. In some cases it acted as a labor union, negotiating with emp…

Origins

Decline

Legacy

Grand Master Workmen

See also

Further reading

External links