Isabella Carter
The Preamble to the Constitution of the Knights of Labor, also known as the Order of the Knights of Labor, was published in 1888 and outlined the background and goals of the group. The Knights of Labor was a labor union that aimed to secure the organization and direction of the power of the industrial masses and protect workers from the threats posed by aggregated wealth and business leaders. The Preamble declared the need for a check on the power of accumulated wealth to ensure that laborers received the fruits of their toil and advocated for the unification of labor to achieve this goal. It also addressed issues such as currency standardization, labor bureaus, public land distribution, equality before the law, workplace safety, and the abolition of the contract system for public work. Despite perceptions that the Knights of Labor was a political organization, the group considered itself to have a higher mission beyond mere political party formation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Background and goals | To prevent the "pauperization and hopeless degradation of the toiling masses" |
| Type of organization | Not a political organization |
| Purpose | To secure "the greatest good to the greatest number" |
| Methods | Unification of labor and cooperative effort |
| Beliefs | The laborer should enjoy the fruits of his toil |
| Concerns | The development and aggression of aggregated wealth |
| Establish Labor Bureaus | |
| Prevent corporations from profiting off public lands | |
| Ensure equality before the law | |
| Improve safety and air quality in mines and factories | |
| Abolish the contract system for public work |
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What You'll Learn
The Knights of Labor was formed to secure the fruits of labour
The Knights of Labor believed that this goal could only be achieved through the unification of labor and the collective efforts of those who follow the belief that "In the sweat of thy brow shalt thou eat bread." They sought to organize and direct the power of the industrial masses through cooperative efforts, submitting their objectives to the world and inviting all who shared their values to join their cause.
The Knights of Labor saw themselves as more than just a political organization. They had a higher mission to serve, aiming to establish labor bureaus and influence policies beyond mere political parties. They advocated for exact equality before the law and humane working conditions in mines and factories, including access to pure air and fire escapes for safety. They also opposed the contract system for public work and the granting of public lands to railroads and corporations.
By uniting workers across industries, the Knights of Labor sought to empower laborers and ensure they reaped the benefits of their hard work. Their constitution and preamble reflected their commitment to improving the lives of working people and addressing the inequalities caused by the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few. The Knights of Labor's efforts left a lasting impact on labor rights and social justice in the United States.
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The need for unification of labour
The Preamble to the Constitution of the Knights of Labor, published in 1888, outlines the background and goals of the group. The Knights of Labor was formed in response to the "alarming development and aggression of aggregated wealth" and the power of this wealth to exploit and degrade the working classes. The Preamble states that the only way to secure the fruits of labour for the labourers themselves is through the unification of labour and the cooperative effort of the industrial masses.
The unification of labour was seen as a way to address this imbalance and secure the rights and well-being of workers. By uniting, workers could gain a voice and negotiate for better terms and conditions. They could also ensure that labour was fairly compensated and that workers were not taken advantage of by those with aggregated wealth. This unity provided strength in numbers and a platform from which to advocate for labour rights and social justice.
Furthermore, the Knights of Labor recognised that the issues they faced were systemic and could not be addressed through individual efforts or piecemeal reforms. By unifying, workers could present a united front and work collectively towards systemic change. This included advocating for things like labour bureaus, laws protecting public lands from railroads and corporations, equal rights, and safer working conditions in mines and factories.
The Knights of Labor sought to organise and direct the power of the industrial masses. They wanted to make clear that they were not just a political organisation or a temporary campaign group. Instead, they had a higher mission to serve the interests of labour and secure the greatest good for the greatest number. Through unification, they aimed to empower workers and address the inequalities perpetuated by the unchecked power of aggregated wealth.
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Threats faced by workers in the 19th century
The 19th century witnessed significant transformations in the economic landscape, particularly with the advent of the Industrial Revolution. This era presented several threats and challenges for workers, who often faced harsh and demeaning working conditions. One of the primary threats was the emergence of mechanization and factory production, which replaced skilled craftspeople with machines, leading to job displacement and unemployment. The power of aggregated wealth in the hands of a few, unchecked by unions or regulations, further exacerbated the pauperization and degradation of the working classes.
The period from 1876 to 1900 in the United States was marked by the rapid expansion of industrial output and mass production of goods. This mechanization, first introduced by British textile manufacturers, soon spread to other industries. Machines were now knitting stockings, stitching garments, producing nails, and performing various other tasks that had once been done by skilled workers. The reduction in labor costs not only lowered manufacturing costs but also decreased the prices of goods for consumers.
Consequently, workers faced declining wages and deteriorating working conditions. The concept of labor unions emerged as a response to these challenges, with groups like the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) advocating for workers' rights and organizing strikes and boycotts. However, these labor unions often struggled to gain equal footing with businesses and industries, as capitalists had the support of the government. The Pullman Strike, for instance, was squelched by the government by attaching mail cars to trains and invoking laws against impeding the movement of mail.
Furthermore, the late 19th century was a period of economic uncertainty, with depressions occurring in 1873, 1886, and 1893, leading to plant closures and rising unemployment. Immigration also played a significant role in altering the makeup of the workforce, with unprecedented numbers of people arriving, especially from Eastern and Southern Europe. This influx further intensified the competition for jobs and potentially contributed to social unrest. Despite the challenges, this period also witnessed the emergence of initiatives that continue to impact the workforce today, including the increased presence of women in the workforce, the fight for reasonable work hours and safe working conditions, and the demand for workers' benefits.
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Goals of the Knights of Labor
The Knights of Labor was a labor union with a constitution that outlined its goals and principles. The preamble to the constitution, published in 1881 and 1888, stated the organization's mission to address the "alarming development and aggression of aggregated wealth" and the exploitation of the working classes. The Knights of Labor sought to secure the fruits of labor for the laborers through unified action and cooperative effort. They aimed to protect the interests of the "toiling masses" and promote the greatest good for the greatest number.
One of the primary goals of the Knights of Labor was to curb the power of concentrated wealth and prevent the pauperization and degradation of workers. They believed in the importance of labor unification and cooperative organization to challenge the accumulation of wealth by a few. The Knights of Labor sought to secure the fruits of labor for those who toiled, as stated in the biblical injunction, "In the sweat of thy brow shalt thou eat bread."
The Knights of Labor also had a set of specific principles and goals that extended beyond economic issues. They advocated for the establishment of Labor Bureaus and sought to influence the type of metal or paper currency used in the country to prevent financial manipulation by shylocks and sharpers. The organization took a stand against the granting of public lands to railroads and corporations, demanding exact equality before the law.
Additionally, the Knights of Labor prioritized the health and safety of workers. They believed in the importance of providing pure air in mines and factories, if scientific methods allowed, and ensuring that all workplaces were equipped with fire escapes and other safety measures. The organization also aimed to abolish the contract system for public works projects.
It is important to note that the Knights of Labor did not consider themselves a political organization. They believed their mission went beyond politics and involved serving a higher purpose by uniting and empowering workers. Despite facing resistance from factory owners and business leaders, the Knights of Labor worked to gain permission for Catholics to join their union, successfully achieving this in 1888 through the efforts of Knights Leader Terence Powderly and Baltimore Archbishop James Gibbons.
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The Knights is not a political organisation
The Knights of Labor, as outlined in the preamble to its constitution, was not a political organisation. Instead, it was an order with a "higher mission" than political party formation. The Knights was formed in response to the "alarming development and aggression of aggregated wealth" and the inevitable degradation and pauperization of the working classes if this continued unchecked. The preamble states that the power of wealth accumulation must be curbed and labor unified so that workers can enjoy the fruits of their toil.
The Knights of Labor, therefore, had a specific focus on labor rights and the economic conditions of workers. They sought to secure the organization and direction of the industrial masses through cooperative efforts. This included advocating for labor bureaus, exact equality before the law, improved safety conditions in mines and factories, and an end to public land giveaways to railroads and corporations.
The Knights of Labor sought to address the issues of their time by focusing on economic reform and labor rights rather than engaging in political party activities. They believed that the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few was a significant issue that needed to be addressed through unified labor action. By doing so, they aimed to secure a better future for the working classes and ensure that they could enjoy the blessings of life.
It is important to note that while The Knights of Labor may not have identified as a political organisation, their activities and goals had political implications. They sought to influence economic and labor policies, which inherently intersect with the political sphere. However, their primary focus remained on labor rights and improving the conditions of workers rather than engaging in traditional political activities or seeking electoral power.
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Frequently asked questions
The Preamble to the Constitution of the Knights of Labor, published in 1888, outlines the background and goals of the group.
The Order of the Knights of Labor aimed to secure the organisation and direction, by cooperative effort, of the power of the industrial masses.
The Preamble states that the "alarming development and aggression of aggregated wealth" was a significant threat to workers in the late 19th century, leading to the pauperization and degradation of the working classes.
The Knights of Labor had several specific goals, including securing the fruits of labour for the labourers, establishing labour bureaus, enforcing laws for workplace safety, and abolishing the contract system for public work.
No, the Order of the Knights of Labor was not a political organisation. It served a higher mission than the forming of a mere political party.
