Leaders of the Labor Movement

Description: This quiz covers the leaders of the labor movement, their contributions, and the impact they had on workers' rights and conditions.
Number of Questions: 15
Created by:
Tags: labor movement labor leaders workers' rights trade unions
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Who is considered the father of the American labor movement?

  1. Samuel Gompers

  2. Eugene V. Debs

  3. William D. Haywood

  4. Mary Harris Jones


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Samuel Gompers was a British-born American labor leader who served as the first president of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) from 1886 to 1924. He is widely regarded as the father of the American labor movement.

Which labor leader was known as "Big Bill"?

  1. William D. Haywood

  2. Eugene V. Debs

  3. Samuel Gompers

  4. Mary Harris Jones


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

William D. Haywood was a prominent American labor leader and founding member of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). He was known for his large stature and his fiery speeches, which earned him the nickname "Big Bill".

Who was the first woman to lead a major American labor union?

  1. Rose Schneiderman

  2. Mary Harris Jones

  3. Florence Kelley

  4. Lillian Wald


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Rose Schneiderman was a Polish-American labor leader and suffragist. She was the first woman to lead a major American labor union, the United Hatters, Cap and Millinery Workers International Union.

Which labor leader was known as the "Mother Jones"?

  1. Mary Harris Jones

  2. Rose Schneiderman

  3. Florence Kelley

  4. Lillian Wald


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Mary Harris Jones was an Irish-American labor leader and activist. She was known as the "Mother Jones" for her work organizing workers and leading strikes, particularly in the coal and steel industries.

Who was the leader of the United Mine Workers of America during the Great Depression?

  1. John L. Lewis

  2. William Green

  3. Sidney Hillman

  4. David Dubinsky


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

John L. Lewis was the president of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) from 1920 to 1960. He led the union through a period of great growth and militancy, including the famous Coal Wars of the 1920s and 1930s.

Which labor leader was a prominent advocate for social justice and workers' rights?

  1. A. Philip Randolph

  2. Walter Reuther

  3. George Meany

  4. Lane Kirkland


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A. Philip Randolph was an African-American labor leader and civil rights activist. He was the founder and president of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first African-American labor union. He was also a prominent advocate for social justice and workers' rights.

Who was the president of the AFL-CIO from 1955 to 1979?

  1. George Meany

  2. Lane Kirkland

  3. John Sweeney

  4. Richard Trumka


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

George Meany was the president of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) from 1955 to 1979. He was a strong advocate for workers' rights and led the AFL-CIO through a period of growth and consolidation.

Which labor leader was known as the "Lion of the AFL"?

  1. Samuel Gompers

  2. Eugene V. Debs

  3. William Green

  4. John L. Lewis


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Samuel Gompers was known as the "Lion of the AFL" for his strong leadership and advocacy for workers' rights. He led the AFL for nearly four decades and is considered one of the most important figures in the history of the American labor movement.

Who was the founder of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO)?

  1. John L. Lewis

  2. Sidney Hillman

  3. David Dubinsky

  4. Walter Reuther


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

John L. Lewis was the founder of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO). He led the CIO from its founding in 1935 until its merger with the AFL in 1955.

Which labor leader was a prominent advocate for workers' education?

  1. Florence Kelley

  2. Lillian Wald

  3. Rose Schneiderman

  4. Mary Harris Jones


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Florence Kelley was a prominent advocate for workers' education. She founded the National Consumers League in 1899 and the National Child Labor Committee in 1904. She also worked to establish the first minimum wage laws and child labor laws in the United States.

Who was the first African-American woman to serve as president of a major American labor union?

  1. Shirley Chisholm

  2. Barbara Jordan

  3. Wilma Mankiller

  4. Linda Chavez-Thompson


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Linda Chavez-Thompson was the first African-American woman to serve as president of a major American labor union. She was elected president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) in 2004.

Which labor leader was known as the "Prince of Wales"?

  1. Eugene V. Debs

  2. William D. Haywood

  3. Samuel Gompers

  4. Mary Harris Jones


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Eugene V. Debs was known as the "Prince of Wales" for his elegant appearance and his eloquent speeches. He was a prominent socialist leader and labor organizer, and he ran for president of the United States five times.

Who was the leader of the United Auto Workers (UAW) during the sit-down strikes of the 1930s?

  1. Walter Reuther

  2. Homer Martin

  3. Roy Reuther

  4. Richard Frankensteen


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Homer Martin was the leader of the United Auto Workers (UAW) during the sit-down strikes of the 1930s. He led the union to victory in a number of key strikes, including the Flint Sit-Down Strike of 1936-1937.

Which labor leader was known as the "Red Napoleon"?

  1. William Z. Foster

  2. Eugene V. Debs

  3. John L. Lewis

  4. Samuel Gompers


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

William Z. Foster was known as the "Red Napoleon" for his leadership of the Communist Party of the United States (CPUSA) and his role in organizing workers in the steel and auto industries.

Who was the leader of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU) from 1934 to 1966?

  1. David Dubinsky

  2. Sidney Hillman

  3. Rose Schneiderman

  4. Mary Harris Jones


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

David Dubinsky was the leader of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU) from 1934 to 1966. He led the union through a period of great growth and militancy, and he was a strong advocate for workers' rights.

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