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Robert Owen was a Social Reformer from Wales and a founder of the Utopian socialism and cooperative movement. He worked in the cotton industry and later made a huge impact on the daily lives of workers and children.

[PICTURE: Robert Owen]

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What criticism of American society did the individual have?

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What criticism of American society did the individual have?

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Robert Owen believed that a person was not shaped by public schools due to them not being strong enough, but a person was shaped by their environment and culture. He thought that the working conditions in America were not good and were resulting in poverty and bad conditions.

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What detail(s) of Roberts work made him an interesting historical figure?

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What detail(s) of Roberts work made him an interesting historical figure?

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Robert had moved from his home in Wales all the way to what he later named New Harmony, Indiana strictly to make the American society better.
Robert had purchased the town with the intention of creating a new Utopian society.  Lots of advances in education and scientific research were established in New Harmony, such as, the first free library, a civic drama club, and a public co-ed school system.

He first was a member of the Manchester board of Health in hopes of improving the lives of factory workers in mills. He also created a pamphlet called "Future of the Human Race", which advocated his new beliefs. During the end of his life, he became a spiritualist and said he even connected with Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin.

[PICTURE: "The Future of the Human Race" by Robert Owen]

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What success did Robert have in promoting reform?

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What success did Robert have in promoting reform?

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Robert was one of the founders of the Utopian Society. He strongly believed in young education and he established infant child care in Britain. The New Lanark reform became famous in England and Spread. The reform movements then resulted in the creation of the Factory Act of 1819 which stated that no children under 9 were able to be employed and children between the ages of 9 and 16 were limited to 12 hours' of work per day.

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What lasting impact, if any, did Robert have on American society?

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What lasting impact, if any, did Robert have on American society?

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Robert made a lot of lasting impacts towards the American Society. He became the new manager of the Mill in New Lanark and created laws to help the workers with both cleanliness and good work environments. Robert was able to make a peaceful balance between the Industrial Revolution and the Americans daily life. He also created the first Infant school and made sure they were provided activities and supplies. He also opened an Institution for the Formation of Character, where workers could be educated.

[PICTURE: The Institution for the Formation of Character in New Lanark]

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Who is a modern day equivalent reformer? Why is this person similar?

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Who is a modern day equivalent reformer? Why is this person similar?

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A modern day reformer who is similar to Robert is Florence Kelley. She was an organizer against Sweatshops and also was an advocate for children's rights. Florence's hard work to create better lives for children and workers is what makes her and Robert.

[PICTURE: Florence Kelley died in 1932 ]

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What methods did Robert Owen use to improve American life?

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What methods did Robert Owen use to improve American life?

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Robert Owen had 3 main beliefs that he used in attempt to improve the American Life.
1) People should not be held accountable for their actions because the environment shapes them.
2) Religion is a waste of time and he opposed organized religion.
3) The putting-out-system should replace the factory system.