Who led the movement that cut wages but did not lower living costs, inciting the Pullman Strike?

The Pullman Strike, which occurred in 1894, was a significant labor dispute that arose due to wage cuts implemented by the Pullman Company, while living costs in the company town remained high. The figure leading the movement during this time was Eugene Debs. He was a prominent labor leader and one of the founders of the American Railway Union.

Debs advocated for the rights of workers and organized a nationwide strike to protest these unfair practices. His leadership was pivotal in rallying support for the workers, as he sought to address the broader issues of labor rights and economic justice. The strike escalated when the federal government intervened, ultimately leading to violent confrontations and an important moment in the history of labor relations in the United States.

In the context of the other individuals mentioned, while Gompers was known for his work with the American Federation of Labor and Powderly led the Knights of Labor, neither were directly involved in the events surrounding the Pullman Strike. Henry Clews, a financier, also did not play a role in the labor movement or the specific events of this strike.