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'''Samuel Gompers''' (January 27, 1850 – December 13, 1924) was the most prominent [[American labor unions|American labor union]] leader in the early 20th century. Gompers founded the '''[[American Federation of Labor]]''' '''(AFL)''' and held the position as president of the organization for all but one year from 1886 until his death in 1924. He promoted harmony among the different craft unions that comprised the AFL. Focused on higher wages and job security, he fought against socialism and the Socialist party. After 1907 he formed alliances with the [[Democratic Party]] at the local, state and national levels. He enthusiastically supported the war effort in World War I, and saw rapid growth in union membership and wage rates.  He is an icon of the mainstream labor movement, and of liberalism, but is hated by the left because of his support for capitalism.

 

'''Samuel Gompers''' (January 27, 1850 – December 13, 1924) was the most prominent [[American labor unions|American labor union]] leader in the early 20th century. Gompers founded the '''[[American Federation of Labor]] (AFL)''' and held the position as president of the organization for all but one year from 1886 until his death in 1924. He promoted harmony among the different craft unions that comprised the AFL. Focused on higher wages and job security, he fought against socialism and the Socialist party. After 1907 he formed alliances with the [[Democratic Party]] at the local, state and national levels. He enthusiastically supported the war effort in World War I, and saw rapid growth in union membership and wage rates.  He is an icon of the mainstream labor movement, and of liberalism, but is hated by the left because of his support for capitalism.

==Early life==

==Early life==