Knights of Labour
IS IT FAIR TO DISMISS THE KNIGHTS OF LABOR AS HOPELESS DREAMERS WHO ACCOMPLISHED LITTLE?
Nahean Nazmul (0862852)
Labour Studies 1A03 Spring/Summer 2012
Prof. David Goutor
Great success often comes from previous failures. Without failure, greatness can be impossible to attain. For this and many other reasons, it is unfair to view the Knights of Labor as hopeless dreamers who accomplished little. Instead, this paper will express the way in which the Knights of Labour contributed to a greater social blueprint; a blueprint that helped shape future generations. The impact that the Knights of Labour have had on society can be seen through three main criteria. The first of these criteria was their ability to set a clear example of what did and didn’t work for labor unions. [9]Many of the present leading labour unions are direct consequences of the Knights of Labor movement. The second impact on society the Knights had was because they were also the first monumental organization to strive for many commodities that we as labourers take for granted today. [3]The third and final important impact the KOL (Knights of Labor) had was their distinction of promoting equality. The promotion of equality was a catalyst in making the North American society a fairer place for its residents. These three major impacts made by the KOL help explain why they as a labour union were much more than hopeless dreamers. They were visionaries of a greater social blueprint and their impact can be felt in many aspects of today’s labour market.
[5]The ‘Noble and Holy Order of the Knights of Labor’ were originated in 1869. [5]They were centrally concerned with protecting and enhancing the nobility of labour. [3]The organization rejected socialism and radicalism, which limited their use of strikes and instead offered a more reasoned approach to solving labour problems. While challenging labour union norms such as strikes and other radical behaviours, the KOL believed that its forerunners had
Nahean Nazmul (0862852)
Labour Studies 1A03 Spring/Summer 2012
Prof. David Goutor
Great success often comes from previous failures. Without failure, greatness can be impossible to attain. For this and many other reasons, it is unfair to view the Knights of Labor as hopeless dreamers who accomplished little. Instead, this paper will express the way in which the Knights of Labour contributed to a greater social blueprint; a blueprint that helped shape future generations. The impact that the Knights of Labour have had on society can be seen through three main criteria. The first of these criteria was their ability to set a clear example of what did and didn’t work for labor unions. [9]Many of the present leading labour unions are direct consequences of the Knights of Labor movement. The second impact on society the Knights had was because they were also the first monumental organization to strive for many commodities that we as labourers take for granted today. [3]The third and final important impact the KOL (Knights of Labor) had was their distinction of promoting equality. The promotion of equality was a catalyst in making the North American society a fairer place for its residents. These three major impacts made by the KOL help explain why they as a labour union were much more than hopeless dreamers. They were visionaries of a greater social blueprint and their impact can be felt in many aspects of today’s labour market.
[5]The ‘Noble and Holy Order of the Knights of Labor’ were originated in 1869. [5]They were centrally concerned with protecting and enhancing the nobility of labour. [3]The organization rejected socialism and radicalism, which limited their use of strikes and instead offered a more reasoned approach to solving labour problems. While challenging labour union norms such as strikes and other radical behaviours, the KOL believed that its forerunners had