by Nova Obin

Created on: September 06, 2008

Utopian Reform
In the 1820's and 30's, America was going through a period of many reforms. One of these reforms was the look towards Utopian society. Several groups formed to try and create a utopian society that would please all of their members. Basically, their goal was to create a Utopia. One of the main and most successful utopian movements was Shakerism.

The shaker society was founded on the belief that "Shakerism is claimed, by its advocates, to be the ultimate, or second Christian church (Shaker's Compendium)." The Shakers broke of from the main society, and created their own communities in what is now South Union, Kentucky (Textbook 343). The Shakers required that all members who "Convert to the faith of Shakerism, who wishes to become a Covenant member, is required to pay all his just debts, to discharge all legal obligations upon him, and, if possible, to make restitution for all the wrongs committed against any of his fellow-creatures (Shaker's Compendium)." Basically, the new members had to cut off all connections to their old life, debts, commitments, etc., before they could join.
Shakers practices with a set of strict and communism- like rules. Their goal was to live like the early Christians, plain and simple (Digital History). One rule is that all shakers will abstain "from sexual intercourse, from private property, from war, oaths, and the honors of the world (Shaker's Compendium)." The clothing and architecture were kept simple, all property belonged to the shaker government, and everyone contributed to the workforce. Different genders worked and lived apart, but worshiped and danced together (Textbook 343). One of the main issues with the Shakers is that their abstinence requirement meant that they could only add to their numbers by recruiting, and that led to their numbers dwindling (Whitworth 104).
The second great awakening was a period where Americans revived their religious beliefs, and renewed interests in religion. The awakening had a huge effect on the Shakers. Since their society was based on Christianity, as more people became more religious, more people converted to Shakerism. The shakers were at their peak during the second great awaking, around 1830. At that time they had 6,000 followers. (Whitworth 46)
One of the most important people in the Shaker's movement was Mother Ann Lee, who claimed she was the Second Coming of the Messiah that she was god's female form (Digital History). The Shakers learned from Mother Ann, and she was

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