Who led the American Railway Union?

• A. Terrence Powderly
• B. Samuel Gompers
• C. Eugene V. Debs
• D. Pauline

Answer: (C)

The focus here is on who led a major industrial union formed to organize railway workers in the 1890s. That leader was Eugene V. Debs. He organized the American Railway Union in 1893 and served as its president, steering the group toward industrial unionism—the idea of uniting all railway workers across trades under one umbrella. This leadership defined the ARU’s bold moves, including its involvement in the Pullman Strike of 1894.

Terence Powderly led the Knights of Labor, a different organization with broader goals and a different history. Samuel Gompers led the American Federation of Labor, which focused on organizing skilled workers through craft unions rather than uniting all railway workers. Pauline isn’t associated with leading the American Railway Union. Debs’ leadership is what shaped the ARU and its approach to worker solidarity in the railroad industry.