Question

what explains the decrease in knights of labor (kol) membership and increase in american federation of labor (afl) membership that began in 1886?
the afl was successful in eliminating the use of child labor in factories.
the kol were outlawed by the federal government making any of their activities illegal.
samuel gompers, leader of the afl, organized the socialist party and called for an overthrow of the government.
violence during the haymarket square riot was blamed on the kol which caused a decrease in support for radical unions.

Explanation:

The Haymarket Square Riot of 1886 led to widespread blame being directed at the Knights of Labor (KOL), a more radical union. This negative association eroded public and worker support for the KOL, causing its membership to decline. In contrast, the American Federation of Labor (AFL), which focused on pragmatic, craft-based unionism rather than radical reform, gained traction as workers shifted to a more moderate union alternative. The other options are incorrect: the AFL did not eliminate child labor, the KOL was not federally outlawed, and Samuel Gompers did not organize a socialist party or call for government overthrow.

Answer:

D. Violence during the Haymarket Square riot was blamed on the KOL which caused a decrease in support for radical unions.