What Are The Knights Of Labor

The Knights of Labor: Pioneering Labor Reform in a Turbulent Era

The Knights of Labor, officially known as the Noble and Holy Order of the Knights of Labor, stands as a pivotal force in the history of the American labor movement. Emerging in the late 19th century, this organization championed progressive labor reforms, seeking to unite workers across various skill levels and backgrounds. Let's delve into the origins, goals, impact, and eventual decline of this influential labor organization.

Origins and Rise of the Knights of Labor

Founded in 1869 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Uriah Smith Stephens, the Knights of Labor initially operated as a secret society to protect its members from employer retaliation. Secrecy was paramount, with members using pseudonyms and holding meetings in disguise. This clandestine approach was a response to the blacklisting and intimidation tactics employed by employers against union members.

Stephens, a former schoolteacher and tailor, envisioned an organization that transcended the narrow focus of craft unions. He sought to create a unified front for all workers, regardless of skill, race, or gender. This inclusive vision was a radical departure from the prevailing labor organizations of the time, which primarily catered to skilled white male workers.

In its early years, the Knights of Labor grew slowly, primarily confined to Pennsylvania and surrounding states. However, the organization's appeal grew with its message of solidarity and reform.

Terence V. Powderly and the Expansion of the Knights

A significant turning point came with the election of Terence V. Powderly as Grand Master Workman in 1879. Powderly, a charismatic and articulate leader, abandoned the secrecy that had characterized the organization's early years. He believed that openness and public advocacy were essential for achieving the Knights' goals.

Under Powderly's leadership, the Knights of Labor experienced rapid growth, attracting members from diverse industries and backgrounds. The organization's membership soared from approximately 20,000 in 1881 to over 700,000 by 1886, making it one of the largest labor organizations in the United States.

Goals and Principles of the Knights of Labor

The Knights of Labor pursued an ambitious agenda of social and economic reform, guided by a set of core principles:

• Worker Solidarity: The Knights believed in uniting all workers, regardless of skill, race, gender, or occupation, into one big union. This commitment to inclusivity set them apart from craft unions that focused on the interests of specific trades.
• Economic Justice: The organization advocated for a more equitable distribution of wealth and power, challenging the growing concentration of wealth in the hands of industrialists and financiers.
• Eight-Hour Day: A central demand of the Knights was the establishment of an eight-hour workday, believing that reduced working hours would improve workers' health, well-being, and opportunities for personal development.
• Abolition of Child Labor: The Knights vehemently opposed child labor, arguing that it deprived children of education and contributed to the exploitation of families.
• Equal Pay for Equal Work: The organization championed equal pay for women and men performing the same jobs, challenging the prevailing wage discrimination against women.
• Worker Cooperatives: The Knights promoted the establishment of worker cooperatives, where workers would own and control the means of production, sharing in the profits and decision-making.
• Public Ownership of Utilities: The organization advocated for public ownership of essential services such as railroads and telegraphs, arguing that these industries should be operated in the public interest rather than for private profit.
• Rejection of the Wage System: Some radical elements within the Knights questioned the wage system itself, arguing that it inherently exploited workers and perpetuated inequality. They envisioned a future where workers would receive the full value of their labor.

The Knights of Labor pursued their goals through a variety of tactics, including:

• Education and Advocacy: The organization published newspapers, pamphlets, and other educational materials to raise awareness of labor issues and promote their reform agenda.
• Political Action: The Knights engaged in political lobbying and supported candidates who championed their cause. They also formed their own political parties in some areas.
• Boycotts: The Knights organized boycotts of businesses that treated their workers unfairly or refused to negotiate with the union.
• Arbitration: Powderly favored arbitration over strikes, believing that negotiation and compromise were the most effective ways to resolve labor disputes.
• Strikes: While Powderly preferred arbitration, the Knights did engage in strikes when other methods failed. However, the organization's decentralized structure and diverse membership made it difficult to control and coordinate strikes effectively.

Major Events and Achievements

The Knights of Labor played a significant role in several major labor events and achieved some notable successes:

• The Great Southwest Railroad Strike (1886): This strike against the Union Pacific Railroad, led by the Knights of Labor, involved thousands of workers across several states. While the strike ultimately failed, it demonstrated the Knights' ability to mobilize large numbers of workers and challenge powerful corporations.
• The Eight-Hour Day Movement: The Knights were at the forefront of the movement for an eight-hour workday, organizing rallies, parades, and strikes to demand reduced working hours.
• The Haymarket Affair (1886): This event, which occurred during a labor rally in Chicago, had a devastating impact on the Knights of Labor. A bomb exploded during the rally, killing several police officers and workers. Although the Knights were not directly responsible for the bombing, they were associated with the event in the public mind, leading to a decline in membership and influence.
• Advocacy for Women and Black Workers: The Knights of Labor were ahead of their time in advocating for the rights of women and Black workers. They admitted women into their ranks and supported their demands for equal pay and opportunities. They also organized Black workers in the South and fought against racial discrimination.

Decline of the Knights of Labor

Despite its early success, the Knights of Labor experienced a rapid decline in the late 1880s and early 1890s. Several factors contributed to this decline:

• The Haymarket Affair: As mentioned earlier, the Haymarket Affair severely damaged the Knights' reputation and led to a loss of public support.
• Internal Divisions: The Knights' diverse membership and decentralized structure made it difficult to maintain unity and control. Disputes over strategy and ideology led to internal divisions and conflicts.
• Rise of Craft Unions: The rise of craft unions, such as the American Federation of Labor (AFL), posed a challenge to the Knights' dominance in the labor movement. The AFL focused on the interests of skilled workers and advocated for a more pragmatic approach to labor relations, which appealed to many workers who were disillusioned with the Knights' utopian vision.
• Ineffective Strikes: The Knights' decentralized structure and lack of strike funds made it difficult to conduct successful strikes. Several major strikes led by the Knights ended in failure, further eroding the organization's credibility.
• Leadership Issues: Powderly's leadership style, which emphasized arbitration and moral persuasion over militant action, alienated some members who felt that he was not doing enough to defend workers' rights.

By the mid-1890s, the Knights of Labor had dwindled to a fraction of its former size. The organization formally dissolved in 1917.

Legacy of the Knights of Labor

Despite its relatively short lifespan and eventual decline, the Knights of Labor left a lasting legacy on the American labor movement:

• Pioneering Inclusive Unionism: The Knights were the first major labor organization to embrace inclusivity, welcoming workers of all skill levels, races, and genders into their ranks. This commitment to inclusivity paved the way for future labor organizations to adopt a more inclusive approach.
• Advocating for Progressive Reforms: The Knights championed a wide range of progressive reforms, including the eight-hour day, abolition of child labor, equal pay for equal work, and worker cooperatives. Many of these reforms were later adopted into law or became widely accepted labor practices.
• Raising Awareness of Labor Issues: The Knights played a crucial role in raising public awareness of labor issues and promoting the cause of workers' rights. Their educational and advocacy efforts helped to shape public opinion and create a more favorable environment for labor reform.
• Inspiring Future Labor Organizations: The Knights' vision of a unified labor movement inspired future labor organizations, such as the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), to adopt a similar approach.

The Knights of Labor: A Detailed Examination of Their Ideals and Practices

The Knights of Labor represented a unique and transformative chapter in the annals of American labor history. Beyond their foundational principles, the Knights enacted diverse strategies and held complex beliefs that warrant a more profound exploration.

Structure and Organization

Unlike many labor organizations of their time, the Knights of Labor were structured with a high degree of decentralization. The organization was divided into local assemblies, which could be organized by trade, industry, or even geographically. These local assemblies were then grouped into district assemblies, which coordinated activities at a regional level.

At the top of the organization was the General Assembly, which was responsible for setting overall policy and direction. However, local and district assemblies enjoyed a high degree of autonomy, allowing them to adapt their strategies to local conditions.

This decentralized structure had both advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, it allowed the Knights to be flexible and responsive to the needs of their members. On the other hand, it made it difficult to coordinate activities at a national level and to enforce discipline among members.

The Knights and the Eight-Hour Day Movement

The Knights of Labor were ardent supporters of the eight-hour day movement, which sought to reduce the standard workday from ten or more hours to eight hours. They believed that reduced working hours would improve workers' health, well-being, and opportunities for personal development.

The Knights organized numerous rallies, parades, and strikes in support of the eight-hour day. In 1886, they called for a nationwide general strike on May 1 to demand the eight-hour day. While the strike was not entirely successful, it did lead to some gains for workers in certain industries and helped to raise public awareness of the issue.

The Knights and the Cooperative Movement

The Knights of Labor were strong proponents of the cooperative movement, which sought to create worker-owned and controlled businesses. They believed that worker cooperatives would empower workers, promote economic justice, and create a more democratic society.

The Knights established numerous worker cooperatives in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, mining, and agriculture. However, many of these cooperatives struggled to compete with established businesses and eventually failed.

The Knights and the Role of Women

The Knights of Labor were ahead of their time in recognizing the importance of women in the labor movement. They admitted women into their ranks and supported their demands for equal pay and opportunities.

The Knights argued that women deserved equal pay for equal work and that they should not be excluded from any occupation based on their gender. They also supported women's suffrage and other reforms that would improve women's status in society.

The Knights and the Inclusion of Black Workers

In an era marred by racial segregation and discrimination, the Knights of Labor made a commendable effort to include Black workers in their organization. While not entirely free of prejudice, the Knights were more inclusive than many other labor organizations of the time.

The Knights organized Black workers in the South and fought against racial discrimination in the workplace. They also supported Black workers' demands for equal pay and opportunities.

The Knights' Ideological Complexities

The Knights of Labor's ideology was a complex mix of reformist and radical ideas. While they advocated for reforms such as the eight-hour day and the abolition of child labor, they also questioned the wage system itself and envisioned a future where workers would receive the full value of their labor.

Some members of the Knights were socialists or anarchists, while others were more moderate in their views. This diversity of opinion contributed to the organization's internal divisions and made it difficult to agree on a common strategy.

The Knights' Lasting Influence

Despite their relatively short lifespan and eventual decline, the Knights of Labor left a lasting legacy on the American labor movement. They pioneered inclusive unionism, advocated for progressive reforms, and raised awareness of labor issues.

The Knights' vision of a unified labor movement inspired future labor organizations, such as the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), to adopt a similar approach. Their advocacy for reforms such as the eight-hour day and the abolition of child labor helped to pave the way for future labor legislation.

Conclusion

The Knights of Labor were a remarkable organization that played a pivotal role in the history of the American labor movement. They championed progressive reforms, sought to unite workers across various skill levels and backgrounds, and challenged the growing power of corporations. While they ultimately failed to achieve all of their goals, they left a lasting legacy of inclusive unionism, social justice, and worker empowerment. Their contributions remain relevant today as workers continue to fight for fair wages, safe working conditions, and a more equitable distribution of wealth and power. Though the Knights of Labor may have faded from the historical spotlight, their impact on the labor movement and the pursuit of social justice remains undeniable.