Samuel Gompers

18,199

Samuel Gompers

Samuel Gompers (1850–1924) used trade unionism to empower workers at a moment when many debated disparities in wealth and dangerous working conditions. He grouped workers into locals by craft, an organizing technique that contrasted sharply with other visions of creating “one big union” for everyone. Elected to the American Federation of Labor in 1886, he expanded the power of the union movement and became the AFL’s longest-serving leader. This video is featured in the "Labor Leaders" section of the American Enterprise exhibition at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. (The video does not have an audio track). Teachers, parents, educators! Check out our resources to use these videos in the classroom here: https://historyexplorer.si.edu/resource/labor-leaders-video-series Section link: americanhistory.si.edu/american-enterprise-exhibition/videos/labor-leaders Exhibition link: americanhistory.si.edu/american-enterprise

52 sec

smithsonian "american history" history museum