Robert Owen

Who Was Robert Owen? Robert Owen was born in Newtown, Wales on May 14, 1771. He is famous for some new ideas which he thought might make workers happier. This was an unusual way of thinking when he lived. (Samuel Greg also believed that workers should be treated well, they were inspired by Adam Smith)) He lived until November 17,1858. - During his life he ran a mill in New Lanark, Scotland, setup a colony called New Harmony in the USA, and was one of the founders of socialism and the co- operative movement. Robert Owen Image Source: http://www.chorleyhistorysociety.co.uk/robert_owen.jpg

Early Life - Owen was a self-made, successful entrepreneur - He became a manager at the New Lanark mill and one of the owners. - It was at this mill that he was able to put into practice some of his ideas on how to treat workers and children better. - He believed that if workers were happy in their lives then they would be much happier at work. This would mean that they would work harder and produce much more. Image Source: http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/lanark/newlanark/images/nl-aerial-450.jpg

Many had not been to school and a lot did not clean themselves. Significant realizations When Owen arrived at New Lanark he found that the workers had many problems including poverty, drunkenness, and worse. Many had not been to school and a lot did not clean themselves. - Some were so poor they could only afford to live in a one room house. Improvised children at New Lanark in the 1890’s Mill workers at New Lanark in the 1890’s Images Source: http://www.newlanark.org/kids/villagers.jpg

Significant RealizationsContinued He also found that the people did not eat well. This made them unhealthy. This was because the shop where they bought their food often mixed unhealthy products into the main foods sold. Sugar, flour and tea would all be mixed with shoddy goods. - This meant the shop made lots of money but the people were sold bad goods. Inside Toad Lane, the Rochdale Pioneers shop. The beginning of today’s co-operative movement. Image Source: http://www.cds.coop/coop_movement/new-to-co-ops/new-to-co-ops/Museuminterior.jpg/image_mini

Owen’s Reactions - Owen decided to make changes at New Lanark. - Established a model factory: - Paid fair wages - Employed no child under age ten - Free medical services - Built affordable workers' housing - Established schools - Provided religious instruction and recreational facilities A dancing class at New Lanark Image Source: http://www.infed.org/images/places/new-lan.jpg

Results of Changes New Lanark Mill Image Source: http://www.uncp.edu/home/rwb/new_lanark1.jpg - Visitors to the mill would comment about the excellent manners of the children, the happiness of the workers, and how well run the mill was. - Of course such changes did cause problems. The other owners of the mill were always moaning that Owen’s ideas cost so much money.

Owen’s plan - In Owen’s communal society : - All would share equally, regardless of contribution. -There would be no division of labor. -There would be no wage system. - Individuals were “creatures of their environment;” character developed if the material and moral environment was proper. - Having made a success of New Lanark he decided that he wanted to build ideal communities in which everyone worked in harmony and happiness. - He wanted groups of families to live within the communities and help each out in their day to day lives. - He believed this would end poverty. Image Source: http://specialcollections.vassar.edu/exhibits/owen/assets/images/newlanark.jpg Plans for Villages of Unity and Mutual Cooperation

Results of Co-operative Movement - His most famous attempt to make this work happened in New Harmony, Indiana. - Owen hoped that there would be lots of “utopian” communities like this. - In reality, the community only lasted two years because it cost so much. - Still, Owen’s accomplishments would leave an impact on society and lead the way to a new way of thinking for workers. Image Source: http://static.newworldencyclopedia.org/thumb/a/a9/New_Harmony_by_F._Bate_(View_of_a_Community,_as_proposed_by_Robert_Owen)_printed_1838.jpg/300pxNew_Harmony_by_F._Bate_(View_of_a_Community,_as_proposed_by_Robert_Owen)_printed_1838.jpg

References Education in Robert Owen's New Society: The New Lanark Institute and Schools. Retrieved May 24, 2010 from http://www.infed.org/thinkers/et-owen.htm. Robert Owen (1771-1858). Retrieved May 24, 2010 from http://www.robert-owen.com/. Robert Owen Biography: New Lanark Mills. Retrieved May 24, 2010 from http://www.age-of-the-sage.org/historical/biography/robert_owen.html. The History Guide to Robert Owen. Retrieved May 24, 2010 from http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/owen.html.