Knights of Labor facts for kids
The Knights of Labor (often called the K of L) was a very important group in the United States during the 1880s. It was one of the biggest labor organizations at that time. A labor organization is like a club for workers. They join together to ask for better pay and working conditions. One of the first leaders of the Knights of Labor was Terence V. Powderly. The Knights started as a secret society, meaning they kept their meetings and plans private. They had special traditions and ceremonies. But by 1878, they became more open. Many more people joined them in the 1880s.
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History of the Knights of Labor
The Knights of Labor started when many other labor unions were forming. A group called the Garment Cutters Association in Philadelphia closed down in 1869. Some of its members decided to create a new group. They believed their new union needed to be very secret.
Starting a Secret Society
When they planned the new organization, every member had to promise to keep things secret. The leader was called "Master Worker," and other roles had similar names. On December 28, 1869, they officially chose the name Knights of Labor. Joining the group cost $1. In 1878, they had their first big meeting with members from different areas.
Goals and Members
The early Knights of Labor worked hard for important changes. They wanted an 8-hour workday for everyone. This meant people would work less and have more time for themselves. They also fought against child labor, which was when young children were forced to work.
The Knights of Labor was special because it welcomed many different people. About 20% of their members were women and Black workers. Most members were working class people, meaning they earned their living through jobs like factory work. However, some jobs were not allowed to join. This included lawyers, bankers, and stockbrokers. Even saloon keepers and gamblers were not allowed to join.
Strikes and the Haymarket Affair
In the 1880s, many workers went on strike to get better pay and working conditions. A strike is when workers stop working to protest. Only about half of all workers belonged to a union back then. Between 1881 and 1885, there were about 500 strikes each year. In 1886, this number jumped to over 1,400 strikes.
On May 4, 1886, a peaceful meeting was held in Chicago. Workers were supporting the idea of an eight-hour workday. During the meeting, someone threw a bomb into the crowd at Haymarket Square. Several police officers and people in the crowd were killed. Even though the person who threw the bomb was never caught, many people blamed labor unions.
Because the Knights of Labor was one of the biggest labor groups, they were blamed more than others. The Haymarket affair caused the Knights of Labor to become much weaker, even though they were not directly involved. By the early 1900s, the group had almost completely disappeared.
Images for kids
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The Seal of the Knights of Labor
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J.R. Sovereign, Grand Master Workman of the Knights of Labor from 1893.
