Shakers

Definition

The Shakers were a Protestant religious sect known for their communal living, celibacy, and distinctive architecture and furniture. They were an important part of the antebellum communal experiments in the United States during the 19th century.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Shakers were founded in the 18th century by a former Quaker named Ann Lee, who claimed to have had a vision of the second coming of Christ.
2. Shaker communities practiced a strict form of celibacy, believing that sexual relations were a source of sin and that the ideal state was one of spiritual purity.
3. Shaker architecture and furniture were characterized by their simple, functional, and elegant design, reflecting the Shakers' belief in the importance of hard work and the rejection of material excess.
4. Shaker communities were organized around the principle of communal ownership, with all property and resources shared among the members.
5. The Shakers were known for their innovative agricultural and industrial practices, including the development of new tools and technologies.

Review Questions

• Describe the key beliefs and practices of the Shakers that made them a unique communal experiment in the antebellum period.
  • The Shakers were a religious sect that practiced strict celibacy, communal ownership of property, and a simple, functional lifestyle. They believed in the importance of hard work, spiritual purity, and the rejection of material excess. These beliefs were reflected in their distinctive architecture, furniture, and innovative agricultural and industrial practices. The Shakers' communal living and religious devotion set them apart as a unique experiment in antebellum America, as they sought to create a utopian society based on their spiritual values.
• Analyze the role of Ann Lee and the origins of the Shaker movement in the context of the religious revivalism and millennialism of the 19th century.
  • The Shaker movement was founded by Ann Lee, a former Quaker who claimed to have had a vision of the second coming of Christ. This vision, combined with the religious revivalism and millennialist beliefs that were prevalent in the 19th century, led Lee to establish the Shaker communities as a means of preparing for the impending end of the world. The Shakers' emphasis on celibacy, communal living, and spiritual purity reflected their belief in the importance of personal and societal transformation in the face of the coming apocalypse. As such, the Shakers' communal experiments were deeply rooted in the religious and millennial movements of the antebellum period.
• Evaluate the long-term impact and legacy of the Shaker communities on American society, particularly in the areas of architecture, design, and technology.
  • The Shaker communities had a lasting impact on American society, particularly in the realms of architecture, design, and technology. The Shakers' simple, functional, and elegant aesthetic influenced numerous designers and architects, and their furniture and buildings are now highly sought after and celebrated for their timeless beauty and craftsmanship. Additionally, the Shakers were known for their innovative agricultural and industrial practices, including the development of new tools and technologies that were widely adopted beyond their own communities. While the Shaker movement ultimately declined in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, their legacy continues to be felt in the enduring influence of their design sensibilities and the lasting impact of their practical innovations on American life.

Related terms

Utopian Socialism: A social and economic theory that advocates for the establishment of egalitarian communities organized around shared property and resources.

Religious Revivalism: A period of renewed religious enthusiasm and spiritual awakening, often characterized by emotional revivals and the formation of new religious movements.

Millennialism:

The belief that a thousand-year period of peace and prosperity will precede the second coming of Christ and the end of the world.