Backwoods Utopias

Arthur Bestor’s Backwoods Utopias examines the rise and challenges of experimental communities in America, focusing on their aspirations and historical context.

In Backwoods Utopias, Arthur Bestor explores the intriguing concept of experimental communities that emerged in the American frontier. These groups, motivated by a desire for revolutionary changes in various aspects of society, believed that a new society could be formed in the unassuming setting of a backwoods village. Bestor delves into the historical roots of the communitarian ideal, tracing its origins back to radical Protestant sects during the Reformation. This historical perspective sets the stage for understanding how these communities aimed to serve as models for reform in religion, politics, economics, and education.

The author pays particular attention to the challenges faced by Robert Owen in establishing New Harmony, a notable experiment in communal living. Bestor highlights the connection between the 'holy commonwealths' of colonial America and the nonsectarian efforts that emerged in the 19th century. This examination reveals the complexities and aspirations of those who sought to create a perfect society through collective living.

In the second edition of Backwoods Utopias, two essays are added that further enrich the discussion. Bestor reflects on the impact of the American frontier and the influx of European ideas on these communities. He argues that the belief in nonviolent revolution through the imitation of a small, ideal society persisted only as long as American institutions were perceived as adaptable. By the close of the 19th century, as societal rigidity increased, the faith in these successful models began to diminish.