During the late nineteenth century there were several attempts at organizing a national labor union. They included the National Labor Union, the Knight's of Labor, and the American Federation of Labor. All three of these unions fought for similar goals, but only the American Federation of Labor was able to survive the ninetieth century.
             The National Labor Union was the first attempt to organize workers throughout the country. It was founded in 1866, as a federation of national and local unions as well as city federations. It grew quickly, within two years it had close to two thirds of a million members. The NLU attempted to organize all workers, they included skilled as well as unskilled laborers, and these laborers consisted of both agricultural and industrial workers. They sought higher wages and an eight hour workday. The NLU also championed several issues of social reform. The NLU worked for rights of women and blacks, worker cooperatives, and monetary reforms. The leadership of the NLU emphasized political actions; these actions alienated a large number of its members, who only wanted reform in the workplace. A number of factors led to the ultimate demise of the NLU. The leaders' motives combined with a large and diverse membership lead to divisions and splits within the organization itself. The NLU came to an end in 1877 after several unsuccessful strike attempts.
             A second attempt at a national labor union was the Knights of Labor. They originated in 1869 as a secret society in order to avoid detection by employers. It was founded by Uriah Stephens in Philadelphia. But it was under the leadership of Terence V. Powderly that the Knights of Labor moved from a secret fraternal society to a public labor union in 1891. It was open to all workers with the exception of doctors, lawyers, gamblers, and liquor dealers. The Knights of Labor made strides for similar goals to those of the NLU. They also wanted the abolishmen...