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Lydia Kauffman 2/8/12 Samuel Gompers

Samuel Gompers was born in London on January 27, 1850. His family was from jewish decent and had originated in Amsterdam. As a child, Samuel was sent to a Jewish elementary school in which he recieved a very basic education. But, at a young age, he had to start work as an apprentice cigarmaker in order to support his family. While working his job, Samuel kept up with his studies and became more educated in different fields, including law. In 1863, the Gompers family moved to Manhattan's Lower East Side in New York City. Although Samuel was busy assisting his father, he found time to start up a dabate club with a few friends. Later in his life, Samuel helped found the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions in 1881 and it was later renamed the American Federation of Labor in 1886.Samuel had connections with the Cuban cigar workers that were in the US at that time. Supposedlly was in favor of the war with Spain in 1898. After the war was over, he had a change of mind. He preoceeded to join the Anti-Imperialist Leauge to protest William McKinley's plan to annex the Philippines. It was said that Samuel apposed all immigration from Europe and Asia, mostly because it lowered wages and he was all about increasing wages and minimizing work hours.

Works Cited "Samuel Gompers - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." //Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia//. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Feb. 2012. .