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Chapter 15: Gilded Age Writing Assignment

Directions: Compare the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor, two of the most prominent labor unions of the latter-nineteenth century, based on their membership, the goals they hoped to attain, and the methods they used to attain those goals. Knights of Labor AFL Membership

Membership

Goals

Goals

Methods

Methods

Membership_KoL: The Knights of Labor invited both skilled and unskilled laborers, blacks, women, and immigrations (with the exception of Chinese) into their union. Goals_KoL: They attempted to keep up reform measures that were put in place by previous unions and demanded equal pay for equal work by men and women. They wanted people to join and work together to achieve more.Methods_KoL: The Knights of Labor conducted strikes. For example, they staged a strike over Jay Gould's Wabash Railroad and May Day strikes across the country.Membership_AFL: AFL was not an open union and only allowed those who were skilled workers to join. Goals_AFL: They hoped to improve employers' liability, mine-safety laws, favorable trade agreements, closed shops, increased wages, and a standard 8 hour workday.Methods_AFL: AFL members utilized walkouts, boycotts, and negotiations to achieve their aspirations.