The Knights of Labor, originally a fraternal order for tailors, evolved into a significant national labor union in the United States during the late 19th century. Founded by Uriah Smith Stevens in 1869, the organization aimed to protect its members from employer abuse, advocate for labor reforms, and promote economic and social improvements. Though experiencing significant growth in the 1880s, the Knights of Labor eventually disbanded in 1893 amidst public backlash.
Stock watering refers to various practices in which a company inflates the value of its assets or exaggerates its profits to issue more shares than justified. Historically notable during the US railway boom of the late 19th century, this practice constitutes fraudulent behavior.
