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Samuel Gompers Facts & Worksheets

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Samuel Gompers was an American labor union leader and founded American Federation of Labor (AFL). He served the federation as its president from 1886 to 1894 as well as from 1895 until his death in 1924. See the fact file below for more information on Samuel Gompers or alternatively download our comprehensive worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Early Life

  • Samuel Gompers was born in London on January 27, 1850. He has a Jewish lineage hailed from Amsterdam.
  • He received his basic education at a Jewish Free School.
  • At an early age, he was sent to a cigarmaker to be an apprentice for his family to make ends meet. Thus, for him to continue schooling, he attended night school. Samuel studied Hebrew and the Talmud.

Immigration to USA

  • In 1863, the Gompers immigrated to the United States. The family settled in New York.
  • Samuel’s father makes a living by manufacturing cigars at home in which Samuel assisted him.
  • As a teenager, Samuel created a debate club with his friends wherein he developed and practiced his public speaking skills.  Many young men were encouraged to join the club including Peter J. McGuire, one of the key figures in the establishment of AFL (American Federation Labor).
  • In 1864, when Samuel was 14 years old, he became involved in Cigarmakers’ Local Union No. 15. The union is an English-speaking organization of cigar makers in New York City.
  • Labor Union is an organization of workers formed for the purpose of advancing its members’ interests in respect to wages, benefits, and working conditions. (Merriam-Webster)
  • At the age of 17, Samuel married Sophia Julian, his 16-year-old co-worker. The couple had six children.
  • Samuel moved to David Hirsch & Company, high-class cigarmaker, in 1873.
  • Most of the workers in David Hirsch & Company were Germans. From here, Samuel learned how to speak the German language as well as various German ideas and philosophy.
  • Samuel became connected with Karl Laurrell, the former secretary of the International Workingmen’s Association. Here, Samuel learned the movement of trade unionism in opposes with socialism.
  • Socialism is any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods. (Merriam-Webster)
  • In 1875, Samuel was elected as president of Cigarmakers’ International Union Local 144.
  • The union almost collapsed in 1877 due to a financial crisis. Samuel, together with Adolph Strasser, rebuild the union. Their programs included sick benefits, death benefits, and unemployed benefits for the members with good records.

“And the time has come when we must assert our rights as workingmen. Every one present has the sad experience, that we are powerless in an isolated condition, while the capitalists are united; therefore it is the duty of every Cigar Maker to join the organization. … One of the main objects of the organization is the elevation of the lowest paid worker to the standard of the highest, and in time we may secure for every person in the trade an existence worthy of human beings.”

  • In 1886, Samuel was elected as second vice-president of the Cigarmakers’ International Union and in 1896 as first vice-president until 1924.

American Federation of Labor

  • In 1881, Samuel was one of the key figures in the establishment of the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions. Later on it was reorganized and became the American Federation of Labor.
  • In 1886, Samuel urged the separation of the cigar makers as well as other craft unions from the Knights of Labor in order to form the AFL (American Federation of Labor).
  • Samuel became the president of AFL 1886 to 1924 (excluding the year 1895).
  • Samuel encouraged written trade agreements to make the organization respectable. Furthermore, he kept the organization politically neutral.
  • AFL under Samuel played a large role in passing immigration restriction laws.
  • Samuel noted the importance of negotiation through collective bargaining in order to give resolutions to the issues of workers’ benefits, wages, hours, and conditions.
  • AFL became an exemplary on unionism in the US. Samuel even planned on expanding unionism to other countries such as Canada by assisting its Trades and Labour Congress.
  • Samuel was also an active member of Freemasonry.

Death

  • In 1923, Samuel was sent to the hospital due to influenza. After recovering, he was stricken by a case of bronchitis.
  • In 1924, Samuel needed assistance in walking due to diabetes. Later on, he was brought back to the hospital due to uremia and congestive heart failure.
  • On December 6, 1924, Samuel collapsed in Mexico City during the meeting of the Pan-American Federation of Labor.
  • Samuel was interred  Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in New York.

Samuel Gompers Worksheets

This bundle contains 11 ready-to-use Samuel Gompers Worksheets that are perfect for students who want to learn more about the American labor union leader and founder of the American Federation of Labor (AFL). Samuel Gompers served the federation as its president from 1886 to 1894 as well as from 1895 until his death in 1924.

Download includes the following worksheets

  • Samuel Gompers Facts
  • Samuel Gompers Word Search
  • Fact or Bluff
  • Word Scramble
  • Odd One Out
  • Samuel Gompers’ Timeline
  • A Letter to Samuel Gompers
  • American Federation of Labor
  • Samuel Gompers’ Legacy
  • Samuel Gompers Acrostic
  • My Stand!

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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