History Icarians

1 history

1.1 cabet radical french politician
1.2 voyage en icarie
1.3 colonization begins

history
cabet radical french politician

louis philippe i, moderate conservative orléanist king replaced extreme conservative charles x following revolution of 1830.

Étienne cabet born in dijon, france in 1788 middle-class family of artisans. cabet attended roman catholic secondary school , continued education, earning doctorate of law degree in 1812. cabet not inclined towards jurisprudence, however, preferring rough , tumble of politics , journalism. following fall of napoleon bonaparte in 1815, cabet became active in struggle against conservative theocratic monarchism, participating in political groups espoused constitutional , republican form of government under monarchical leadership.

in 1820 cabet moved paris, political center of french nation. there continued participate in secret revolutionary societies, @ considerable personal risk. took decade underground political effort bear fruit when in july 1830 revolution erupted seeking fundamental change of conservative regime had gained power in bourbon restoration following fall of napoleon.

this revolution of 1830 in matter of few frenzied days forced abdication of conservative monarch charles x , returned constitutional government france. cabet played leading role in revolution leading member of so-called insurrection committee, activity recognized appointment attorney-general corsica following coronation of louis philippe king.

historian morris hillquit has argued posting of cabet corsica calculated shrewd move on part of government remove prominent radical critic political hothouse of paris under guise of reward services during revolution. may, despite employment government functionary in corsica, cabet moved criticism of new orléanist regime conservatism , half-measures respect constitutional rule , democratic rights of people. brought cabet s prompt removal office new regime in paris, @ pleasure cabet served.

following dismissal corsican attorney-general, cabet turned hand writing, authoring 4 volume history of french revolution. remained active in politics , elected deputy lower chamber of national assembly in 1834. cabet emerged fierce opponent of new conservative regime , potential revolutionary leader, drawing attention of regime , repressive mechanism. in effort eliminate dangerous democratic agitator, cabet given choice of 2 years imprisonment or 5 years in foreign exile. decided upon latter punishment , went exile in england.

during 5 years of english exile, cabet dedicated himself philosophical , economic study, considering relationship between political structures , economic welfare throughout history. cabet s findings later summarized 1 of acolytes:

studying, pondering history of ages , countries, @ length arrived @ conclusion mere political reforms powerless give society the... welfare obstinately seeks.... found @ epochs same phenomena: society sundered in twain; on 1 side minority, cruel, idle, arrogant, usurping exclusive enjoyment of products of majority, passive, toiling, ignorant, remained wholly destitute.... change this, find means of preventing 1 portion of humanity being eternally prey of other — such desire, goal of efforts.

cabet turned idea of reorganization of society on communal basis — known communism in terminology of day. ideas modification of society closely paralleled of man met in english exile, robert owen.

voyage en icarie

title page of 1848 fifth edition of cabet s voyage en icarie. symmetrical layout includes group of slogans summing cabet s philosophy.

in 1839, 5 years exile in england completed, cabet returned native france. upon return began writing book expound economic , social ideas, following example of thomas more , using form of allegorical novel allowed not exposition of ideal form of administration opportunity cloaked criticism of existing regime.

the result of cabet s writing published in 1840 voyage en icarie (voyage icaria). rough translation cabet serialized in icarian periodicals of 1850s; additional translation academic specialist robert sutton has been deposited library of congress, although remains unpublished. basic plot outline published morris hillquit in 1903:

lord carisdall, young english nobleman, has chance learned of existence of remote , isolated country known icaria. unusual mode of life, habits, , form of government of icarians excite lordship s curiosity, , decides visit country. voyage en icarie purports journal in our traveler records remarkable experiences , discoveries in strange country.

first part of book contains glowing account of blessings of cooperative system of industry of icarians, varied occupations , accomplishments, comfortable mode of life, admirable system of education, high morality, political freedom, equality of sexes, , general happiness. second part contains history of icaria. appears social order of country had been similar prevailing in rest of world, until 1782, when great national hero, icar, after successful revolution, established system of communism.

recital gives cabet opportunity scathing criticism of faults of present social structure, , outline favorite measures transition system new regime.

...the last part of book devoted history of development of idea of communism, , contains summary of views of known writers on subject, plato down famous utopians of part of 19th century.

although regarded today plodding melodrama in reader inundated tedious details of incidental aspects of icarian life, cabet s book received readers of day, principles outlined viewed many blueprint advancement disappointing present glorious future. multiple editions of book followed in quick succession , public interest awakened cabet made transition author builder of practical movement advance communal ideas had expounded. in march 1841 cabet launched monthly magazine, le populaire, annual icarian almanac propagandize , organize new political movement s supporters.

so-called icarianism attracted numerous supporters in such french cities reims, leon, nantes, toulouse, , toulon, cabet claiming existence of 50,000 adherents of ideas end of 1843. these supporters began see cabet political messiah , sought implement leader s ideas in practical setting. gradually decided in period france did not present favorable economic, political, or social environment implementation of icarian ideas; instead, united states of america chosen more fitting site colonization – nation vast expanses of relatively inexpensive land , democratic political tradition.

in may 1847, cabet s organ le populaire carried lengthy article entitled allons en icarie (let go icaria), detailing proposal establish american colony based upon icarian political , economic ideals , calling committed building artisanal , agrarian community volunteer. wheels set in motion formation of intended prosperous , enviable collective entity.

colonization begins

cabet believed @ least 10,000 or 20,000 working men enlist in american colonization scheme, number swelling million skilled workers , artisans. towns , huge cities bursting industry shortly follow, accompanying schools , cultural facilities assuring life happy , fulfilled community. announcement of plan met enthusiasm, , offers of participation along gifts of money, seeds, farm implements, clothing, books, , other valuable , useful items began flow in.

cabet gave himself task of choosing precise location colonization. cabet turned friend robert owen advice, traveling london in september 1847 consult british co-thinker. owen recommended colonization in new american state of texas, location reckoned possess vast tracts of unoccupied land inexpensive plentiful. cabet made contact texas land agent, peters company, agreed present owen title 1 million acres of land long colonized july 1, 1848.