Who developed the American Railway Union?

The American Railway Union was established by Eugene Debs in 1893. Debs was a prominent labor leader and a key figure in the labor movement in the United States. He founded the union to promote the interests of railway workers and to advocate for their rights, focusing on improving wages and working conditions. Under his leadership, the union gained significant traction, especially among railroad workers, and played a central role in organizing strikes, notably the Pullman Strike of 1894.

Debs' vision for the union was rooted in his broader socialist beliefs, and he later became a founding member of the Socialist Party of America. His contributions not only advanced the labor movement but also highlighted the struggles of the working class during a time of rapid industrialization. This context makes Debs' establishment of the American Railway Union instrumental in advocating for labor rights in the late 19th century.