"The recent alarming development and aggression of aggregated wealth, which, unless checked, will inevitably lead to the pauperization and hopeless degradation of the toiling masses, render it imperative... that a check should be placed upon its power and upon unjust accumulation, and a system adopted which will secure to the laborer the fruits of his toil." — Preamble, Knights of Labor Constitution, 1878
Compared with the American Federation of Labor under Samuel Gompers, the Knights of Labor:
- Acheck_circle
Sought broader social reform and welcomed unskilled and Black workers
- B
Focused exclusively on craft unionism and skilled trades
- C
Limited membership to native-born white Protestants
- D
Allied formally with the Republican Party in national elections
Explanation
The Knights pursued sweeping reform and inclusive membership, while the AFL concentrated on skilled craft unions and concrete bread-and-butter gains.