What type of organization was the Knights of Labor recognized as in the U.S.?

The Knights of Labor was recognized as a national labor union in the U.S. because it aimed to unite all workers, regardless of their specific trades or crafts, into a single organization. This approach was quite innovative for its time, as most labor organizations were limited to specific trades and focused on the interests of those particular groups.

The Knights of Labor sought to bring together a diverse membership that included skilled and unskilled workers across various industries, thereby promoting broader labor reforms and advocating for issues such as the eight-hour workday, equal pay for equal work, and the abolition of child labor. Their emphasis on inclusivity and large-scale organization shaped them as a national labor union, distinguishing them from craft unions, which were more focused on specific trades, or trade unions that typically concentrated on collective bargaining for practical benefits.

Additionally, while the Knights had some secretive elements, such as initiation rituals and internal structures that were initially not widely known, their primary identity and goal expanded beyond that of a secret society to become a significant force in the labor movement during the late 19th century.