The Oneida Community, a radical 19th-century commune, ultimately failed due to a combination of internal discord among its members and intense external opposition stemming from its controversial social and sexual practices.
Core Reasons for Collapse
The communal experiment, which lasted for over three decades, faced insurmountable challenges that led to its dissolution as a commune in 1881. Key factors included:
- Internal Dissatisfaction: Despite its utopian ideals, not all members found contentment within the community's unique social structure. Over time, a growing unhappiness emerged among some residents. This internal friction eroded the communal spirit and unity essential for its survival, as not everyone was satisfied with the practice of complex marriage or the communal living arrangements.
- External Hostility and Legal Pressure: The most significant external challenge was the widespread animosity from outsiders directed at their radical sexual practices, particularly "complex marriage" (a form of polygamy where every man was married to every woman) and male continence. Public and religious condemnation was severe, labeling their practices as immoral and scandalous. This external pressure escalated, leading to fears of legal repercussions and potential criminal charges.
- Leader's Flight and Loss of Direction: The community's charismatic founder, John Humphrey Noyes, was the spiritual and practical backbone of Oneida. As the legal threats mounted, Noyes found himself in a precarious position. In June 1879, fearing criminal charges for sex-related crimes, he fled from the United States to Canada. His sudden departure left a significant leadership void and deprived the community of its primary guiding force, accelerating its inevitable decline.
Transition to a Joint-Stock Company
Recognizing the unsustainable nature of their communal model under such pressures, the Oneida Community eventually transitioned from a religious commune into a joint-stock company. This transformation, completed in 1881, allowed them to preserve their economic enterprises, such as the successful manufacturing of silverware, but marked the end of their social and religious experiment as a commune.
