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Utopian Communities

Utopian Communities. Chandler Shannon. background. Utopian communities were invented by Plato in his book Republic The actual word Utopia was from a book called U topia by Thomas Moore The great awakening helped to bring utopian thought to America. The Communities . Brook Farm

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Utopian Communities

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  1. Utopian Communities Chandler Shannon

  2. background • 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

  3. The Communities • Brook Farm • The Shakers • Oneida Community

  4. Brook Farm • 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

  5. The Shakers • 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

  6. The Oneida Community • 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

  7. Cont. • 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

  8. In recap • 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

  9. end

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