Who is recognized as the "Father of the American Labor Movement"?

Samuel Gompers is recognized as the "Father of the American Labor Movement" primarily due to his pivotal role in organizing and advocating for labor rights in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He founded the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in 1886, which was instrumental in promoting the interests of skilled workers and labor unions across the United States. Gompers was a staunch proponent of collective bargaining and sought to improve labor conditions through political advocacy and negotiation rather than through the use of strikes or radical means. His vision of a labor movement focused on achieving practical gains for workers laid the groundwork for future labor organizations and the overall structure of labor relations in America, making his impact foundational to the labor rights we recognize today.

The other individuals mentioned played significant roles within labor relations but did not have the same foundational impact as Gompers. For instance, while Franklin D. Roosevelt was a key figure in enhancing labor rights during the New Deal era, his contributions were more about government policy rather than the labor movement's formation. John L. Lewis was a powerful labor leader who led the United Mine Workers and later helped establish the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), but he emerged in a later period and worked