Ace the 2026 Industrial Workers Social Studies Test – Unlock Your Inner History Hero!

Samuel Gompers was the first president of the American Federation of Labor (AFL), serving from 1886 until 1894, and then continuing in a leadership role until 1924. His leadership was instrumental in shaping the AFL's strategies and objectives, which focused on securing better wages, hours, and working conditions for skilled workers. Gompers advocated for unions to focus on practical, achievable goals, such as collective bargaining and strikes, rather than broader political goals. His efforts helped establish the AFL as a powerful force in the labor movement in the United States. Gompers' vision and leadership laid the foundation for the organization, which emphasized the importance of trade unions and became a key player in American labor relations.