jan 1, 1869 - Knights of Labor

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As America industrialized, business entrepreneurs used technological inventions and new corporate and financial practices and structures to form large corporations which increased the production of goods, but also in very long and dangerous working conditions for men, women and even working children. As a result, the Knights of Labor was formed as a labor federation that organized workers in one national union and challenged the power of corporate capitalists. The significance of this union was that it was the largest organization of workers that challenged the corporations since the civil war and it accepted African Americans and women in its membership. Also, this organization served as the model for future far more powerful and successful unions such as the AFL.

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