Which utopian community was established by John Humphrey Noyes in 1848?

The Oneida Community, established by John Humphrey Noyes in 1848, is a significant example of a utopian society that aimed to create a perfect social order based on shared beliefs, communal living, and religious principles. Noyes and his followers sought to create a community free from what they perceived as the moral failings of society, including the traditional family structure, which they felt contributed to social inequalities and personal dissatisfaction.

The Oneida Community practiced complex marriage, where all members were considered to be married to one another, eliminating the exclusive bonds of traditional marriage. This approach aimed to promote equality and personal freedom, allowing members to engage in relationships without the constraints of conventional marital expectations. Additionally, they focused on cooperative economics, where goods and profits were shared among community members rather than being held individually.

This reflects broader themes of the period, as the 19th century was marked by various movements to establish utopian communities that sought to address social issues through reform and innovation in social structures. Other communities you may have heard of, like the Shakers and Brook Farm, also aimed for higher social ideals but had different philosophies and practices that did not align with the unique approach taken by Noyes and the Oneida Community.