Founded: Samuel Gompers in 1886 in Ohio
- Replaced the KOL, but only admitted skilled workers into their membership. Prohibited women, AAs and racial minorities.
- Sought to keep the AFL out of the political arena, didn’t want to offend some business owners who could hinder the workers ability to campaign for better conditions.
- Prepared to accept capitalism, thought it would eventually evolve and benefit workers.
- By 1904 it had 1.7 million members.
- The group that benefitted from this union was white, skilled males.