Chandler Shannon

Utopian communities were invented by Plato in his book Republic The actual word Utopia was from a book called Utopia by Thomas Moore The great awakening helped to bring utopian thought to America background

Brook Farm The Shakers Oneida Community The Communities

Founded by Unitarian minister George Ripley in 1841 Influenced many social reform movements influenced abolitionism, the workingmen's movement, and the women's rights movement heavily Transcendentalist camp Called it a “city of god, anew.” Failed because it’s economy collapsed Brook Farm

Christian Utopian group Practiced communal living, celibacy, pacifism, and sexual equality. They were known for a ritual in which they danced and “shook.” hence the name shakers Originated in England with Ann Lee as “Mother” They migrated to America In the Antebellum period there were many communities with just over 6,000 members They remained mostly autonomous in their economies making items and trading There are still shakers today: three or less The Shakers

Founded by John Humphrey Noyes They believed the key to happiness was the suppression of selfishness Communal living: no private property Practiced mutual criticism, gender equality, and complex marriage. Believed sex was a way to get closer to god, the more often they had sex the closer they were They were forced to move to Oneida NY. Adultery case They all lived in one house Selective breeding The Oneida Community

they were forced to give up their complex marriage system and bible communalism They then turned into a joint-stock company Oneida silver They make silverware in the modern world today It is ironic that a communalist utopian society turned into a capitalist company Cont.

Utopian societies varied wildly but they did have some common elements Most practiced gender equality, were abolitionists, and practiced communal living Very liberal communities that weren't seen again until the 1960s In recap