Massachusetts AFL-CIO Scholarship Practice Exam

Which group was the largest affiliate of the A.F.L.?

1. Western Federation of Miners

2. United Mine Workers of America

3. Industrial Workers of the World

4. American Railway Union

The correct answer is: United Mine Workers of America

The United Mine Workers of America was the largest affiliate of the American Federation of Labor (A.F.L.) during its early years. Established in 1890, this union became a powerful advocate for the rights of coal miners and their working conditions. The strength of the United Mine Workers lay in its ability to organize workers across various regions, thereby exerting significant influence over labor relations in the coal industry. Their impactful strikes and negotiations not only garnered attention to labor issues but also helped shape policies benefiting laborers, setting a precedent for other unions. In contrast, the other options listed, while important in their own right, did not achieve the same level of affiliation or influence within the A.F.L. The Western Federation of Miners was significant but primarily focused on miners in the West and did not reach the same membership size. The Industrial Workers of the World, also known as the Wobblies, had a more radical approach to labor organization, which diverged from the more conservative strategies of the A.F.L. Lastly, the American Railway Union, though notable, notably experienced a decline in membership and influence following events such as the Pullman Strike, which reduced its capacity to affiliate within the A.F.L. The prominence of the United Mine Workers