Final answer:
Labor organizations like the National Trades Union, Knights of Labor, AFL, and American Railway Union were all founded to improve the conditions of workers in the United States. Although they had different approaches and membership criteria, they shared goals like higher wages, shorter work hours, and better working conditions for their members.
Step-by-step explanation:
The National Trades Union, Knights of Labor, American Federation of Labor (AFL), and American Railway Union share similarities as labor organizations established to protect and advance the interests of workers. They all emerged in response to the challenging industrial conditions faced by workers in the United States, such as long hours, low wages, and poor working conditions. Each organization attempted to unify workers to negotiate better terms of employment through various means. The National Trades Union, formed in 1866, was one of the earliest attempts to bring together workers from different trades. The Knights of Labor followed, seeking a broad reform platform with ideals that included an eight-hour workday and equal pay regardless of gender. The AFL, founded by Samuel Gompers in 1886, focused primarily on skilled labor and aimed for concrete improvements such as higher wages and shorter work weeks, often using strikes as a tactic. The American Railway Union, led by Eugene V. Debs, included all laborers within the industry and won a successful strike, although it was short-lived. These organizations shared the goal of improving conditions for workers, albeit with different philosophies, membership criteria, and tactics.