The purpose of the labor unions formed by workers in the United States in the late 1800s was to C. improve working conditions and obtain higher wages B. gain investors in order to start their own factories A. convince consumers to buy manufactured goods D. create more job opportunities for women and children

## Step 1<br />The question is asking about the primary purpose of labor unions in the United States during the late 1800s. Labor unions are organizations of workers that seek to protect their collective interests and improve their working conditions.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />During the late 1800s, the United States was undergoing rapid industrialization, which led to the growth of factories and the rise of a large working-class population. This period, known as the Gilded Age, was marked by long working hours, low wages, and unsafe working conditions.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />Labor unions formed during this time to address these issues. They aimed to negotiate better wages, shorter working hours, and safer working conditions for their members. The primary goal of these unions was not to gain investors, convince consumers to buy goods, or create more job opportunities specifically for women and children, although some of these might have been secondary effects or specific goals of certain unions.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />The most direct and significant impact of labor unions was the improvement of working conditions and the attainment of higher wages for workers. This aligns with option C, which states that the purpose of labor unions was to improve working conditions and obtain higher wages.