What union was created by Eugene V. Debs to unify railroad workers?

The American Railway Union was established by Eugene V. Debs in 1893 as a means to unite railroad workers across different trades and skills. The union aimed to improve working conditions, wage standards, and employment security for its members, who were often faced with challenging labor situations and a lack of representation. Debs believed that organizing workers into a single union would provide them with greater negotiating power against the railroad companies.

The significance of the American Railway Union was highlighted during the Pullman Strike of 1894, where the union played a pivotal role in a nationwide railroad boycott in response to wage cuts and high rents in company-owned towns. This event not only showcased the union's efforts to advocate for workers' rights but also emphasized Debs's commitment to socialism and labor solidarity.

In contrast to the other options, the United Steelworkers was established later, in 1942, focusing on steel industry workers; the Industrial Workers of the World, founded in 1905, promoted radical labor movements and was not solely focused on railroads; while the CIO emerged in the 1930s to organize workers across various industries, including manufacturing, but was not directly associated with early railroad activities initiated by Debs. The American Railway Union remains specifically linked to Deb