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The Life of Robert Owen
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Manchester; The beginning steps
Owen made his way to Manchester, England where the textile industry was blossoming during the industrialization. He eventually had a cottonmill there. -
Starting Point of Business
Robert Owen bought a "spinning mule" with 160 dollars he borrowed from his brother. This was used to make yarn from wool or cotton. -
Climbing to the top
He was hired to manage a company, Chorton Twist. His management brought great success, making him a partner. He was also a part of the " Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society' the same year. -
Marriage and Business
He got married to Caroline Dale, the daughter of his future partner in New Lanark companies. -
Businessman
He invested ninety seven thousand dollars in his father in laws textile companies in New Lanark, Scotland -
Trust
By 1806, Robert Owens gained the trust of his workers, as he continued to pay them for 4 months when the US had banned cotton imports. He also worked to improve safety, wages, shorten the work day, and give kids a easier time in the labor field by enforcing a schooling system for the youth, and even parents later on. -
Schooling
Owens opened a school in New Lanark that promoted the education of the kids, allowing them to learn more and work less. -
Writings
Owen wrote an essay,"A New View of Society" which outlines his beliefs. -
Hours
Owens introduced a shorter work day of 12 hours. -
Education
Owen opened first infant school in Great Britain. -
Education
He opened a school to further the education of the working adults. They studied in the same rooms that the children did, only at night. -
No Education
Being pressured by his partners, Owen had to close down the schools in New Lanark. -
Utopia
Owen bought land in New Harmony, Indiana to pursue all his ideas of the perfect world, his utopia. This initially worked in his presence, but it later failed as the people themselves could not manage to all except the same things. -
The End
Owen handed over the land in Indiana to his sons, because his Utopia was not a success as soon as he went back home. This is where he lost most of his money, as he used the money from New Lanark to fund his "utopia" in Indiana.