Meaning: The quote "But the Committee for Industrial Organizations is here. It is now henceforth a definite instrumentality, destined greatly to influence the lives of our people and the internal and external course of the republic" is attributed to John L. Lewis, a prominent labor leader in the United States during the early to mid-20th century. The quote speaks to the significance and impact of the Committee for Industrial Organizations (CIO) on the nation's industrial landscape and the lives of its citizens.

The Committee for Industrial Organizations, later known as the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), was a federation of unions that played a pivotal role in the labor movement in the United States. It was established in 1935 as a response to the need for industrial unionism, which sought to organize all workers within a particular industry, regardless of their specific skills or trades.

At the time of the CIO's formation, the labor movement in the United States was undergoing significant changes. The traditional craft-based unions, such as the American Federation of Labor (AFL), were dominant, but they often excluded industrial workers, particularly those in the mass production industries. The CIO sought to address this gap by organizing workers in industries such as automobile manufacturing, steel production, and mining, among others.

The quote by John L. Lewis reflects the confidence and vision of the CIO as a force that would shape the future of labor relations and influence the trajectory of the nation. Lewis, who was a key figure in the formation of the CIO, believed in the power of industrial unionism to bring about substantial improvements in the lives of working people and to impact the direction of the country as a whole.

The CIO's influence extended beyond the workplace and into the political and social realms. It advocated for policies and legislation that promoted the rights of workers, including the establishment of fair wages, better working conditions, and collective bargaining rights. The CIO also played a significant role in supporting the civil rights movement and advocating for racial and gender equality within the labor force.

In addition to its domestic impact, the CIO's activities also had implications for the United States' external relations. Its efforts to organize workers and improve labor standards contributed to the overall economic and social development of the country, which in turn affected its standing in the global arena.

The CIO's impact on the labor movement and the broader society was indeed profound, as it helped to usher in a new era of industrial unionism and laid the groundwork for the advancements in workers' rights and social justice that followed. The quote by John L. Lewis captures the spirit of optimism and determination that characterized the CIO's mission and its lasting legacy in shaping the course of the nation.

In conclusion, the quote by John L. Lewis encapsulates the significance of the Committee for Industrial Organizations and its enduring impact on the lives of American workers and the nation as a whole. The CIO's role as a driving force in the labor movement and its influence on social and political developments underscore its status as a "definite instrumentality" destined to shape the internal and external course of the republic.