The Haymarket Affair was a pivotal moment in the history of the American labor movement. It occurred on May 4, 1886, in Chicago, Illinois, and resulted in the deaths of several workers and police officers. The incident sparked widespread outrage and led to a renewed push for workers' rights and protections.
In response to the Haymarket Affair, the American Federation of Labor (AFL) was formed in 1886. The AFL was a national federation of trade unions that sought to improve working conditions and wages for its members. The organization quickly grew and became a powerful force in the American labor movement.
Many of the members of the AFL were Knights of Labor, a more radical labor organization that had been founded in 1869. The Knights of Labor was open to all workers, regardless of skill level or occupation. However, the organization began to decline in popularity in the late 1880s, as many members were drawn to the more moderate AFL.
The Haymarket Affair and the subsequent formation of the AFL marked a turning point in the American labor movement. The AFL became the dominant force in American organized labor, and it played a major role in improving the lives of workers in the United States.