What movement sought to unify all laborers, including working for economic reforms and political rights?

The National Labor Union emerged in the 1860s as one of the first significant attempts to unify all workers across various trades and skill levels in pursuit of economic reforms and political rights. This movement sought to improve labor conditions by advocating for an eight-hour workday, better wages, and the right to organize. The National Labor Union was notable for its inclusive approach, attempting to integrate skilled and unskilled workers, as well as advocating for the inclusion of different ethnicities and women within the labor movement.

In contrast, the American Federation of Labor focused more on organizing skilled workers from specific trades, leading to a more segmented approach that did not prioritize unskilled laborers or broader economic reforms. The Knights of Labor also aimed to unite a broad array of workers but ultimately had a more radical agenda, seeking extensive social reforms beyond labor issues. The Progressive Movement, while concerned with social justice and reform during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, was not solely focused on the labor movement and encompassed a wider range of social and political reforms.

Thus, the National Labor Union stands out as the movement that specifically sought to unite all laborers, emphasizing both economic and political rights for the working class.