Which organization sought to promote labor interests during the rise of American industrialism?

The Knights of Labor was a significant organization during the rise of American industrialism that sought to promote labor interests. Founded in the 1860s, this group initially focused on uniting workers from various trades and industries to advocate for better working conditions, pay, and hours. They played a pioneering role in the labor movement by attempting to create a broad-based coalition that included skilled and unskilled workers, men and women, and even some groups of African Americans.

The Knights of Labor's emphasis on inclusivity and its vision of uniting all workers under a common cause set it apart from other labor organizations of the time. They championed a variety of reforms, including the eight-hour workday, the abolition of child labor, and the establishment of equal pay for equal work. Their approach was notably more radical in terms of social reform and worker solidarity compared to the more focused aims of subsequent labor organizations that followed.

This historical context underscores the importance of the Knights of Labor in promoting labor interests during a pivotal time in American history. Their legacy helped shape the direction of labor activism and laid the groundwork for future movements and unions.