Who led the American Federation of Labor?

Who led the American Federation of Labor?

• A. Terrence Powderly
• B. Samuel Gompers
• C. Eugene V. Debs
• D. Pauline

Answer: (B)

Samuel Gompers led the American Federation of Labor. He helped found the AFL in 1886 and guided it for many years, focusing on practical, economic goals for workers—higher wages, shorter hours, and better working conditions—through organized craft unions and collective bargaining. This approach, often called “bread-and-butter” unionism, defined the AFL’s strategy and set it apart from other labor groups of the era. Terence Powderly led the Knights of Labor, a different organization that sought broader reforms and included a wider range of workers. Eugene V. Debs was a socialist leader who organized unions like the American Railway Union and promoted socialist politics, not the AFL. Pauline isn’t associated with leading the AFL.

Samuel Gompers led the American Federation of Labor. He helped found the AFL in 1886 and guided it for many years, focusing on practical, economic goals for workers—higher wages, shorter hours, and better working conditions—through organized craft unions and collective bargaining. This approach, often called “bread-and-butter” unionism, defined the AFL’s strategy and set it apart from other labor groups of the era.

Terence Powderly led the Knights of Labor, a different organization that sought broader reforms and included a wider range of workers. Eugene V. Debs was a socialist leader who organized unions like the American Railway Union and promoted socialist politics, not the AFL. Pauline isn’t associated with leading the AFL.