Final answer:
The claim that Samuel Gompers' efforts led to a significant rise in membership for the AFL is true. Under his leadership, membership grew over time, resulting in over 2 million members by 1914 due to the successful advocacy for improvements in labor conditions and wages.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Samuel Gompers' efforts resulted in spectacular growth in membership in the American Federation of Labor (AFL) is true. Gompers founded the AFL in 1886 and efficiently led it, focusing on economic gains and working conditions for skilled laborers without straying much into political issues. Under his leadership, the AFL pursued practical goals through collective bargaining and strikes, and this approach proved to be productive.
From its inception, the AFL saw a steady increase in its membership, advocating for higher wages, shorter workweeks, and better working conditions. By 1914, the organization boasted over 2 million members. Gompers's strategies, including his push for closed shops and the use of strikes, had a significant impact on the labor movement of the time, particularly in securing the 8-hour workday and higher wages for its members.