Why did a radical 16th-century movement choose communal living over individual property?

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Emerging from the fires of the Protestant Reformation, the Hutterites built a society defined by radical pacifism and shared wealth. While their peers faced execution for their beliefs, the Hutterites found refuge in Moravia, establishing a unique communal model that has survived for five centuries across two continents.

The Hutterite movement traces its origins to the Anabaptist branch of the Protestant Reformation. Unlike mainstream reformers, Anabaptists insisted on adult baptism, arguing that infants could not exercise the free will required for faith. This stance, combined with their refusal to swear oaths or participate in war, made them targets for state persecution. Leaders like Konrad Grebel and Balthasar Hubmaier were central to these early developments, with the first adult baptism occurring in Zürich in 1525.

Jakob Hutter, the movement's namesake, transformed these theological foundations into a distinct social experiment. In Moravia, where the ruling elite offered sanctuary, Hutter implemented the community of goods. This practice was modeled directly on the primitive church described in the Acts of the Apostles, where early believers held all possessions in common. This communal structure became the defining feature of Hutterite life, separating them from other Anabaptist groups like the Mennonites, who emerged later under Menno Simons.

The movement's history is one of persistent migration driven by survival. After facing intense pressure in Europe, including the violent suppression of an Anabaptist uprising in Münster, the Hutterites eventually sought safety in Russia in 1770. By the late 19th century, they migrated to North America. Today, their communities are primarily located in the western United States and Canada, maintaining a way of life that remains rooted in the radical convictions of their 16th-century founders.

Historians often distinguish the pacifist Hutterites from the militant Anabaptists who briefly seized control of Münster in 1534. While the Münster episode—marked by polygamy and violent revolution—is viewed as an aberration, it fueled widespread persecution of all Anabaptists. Despite this, the Hutterites preserved their commitment to nonresistance, refusing military service and coercive state measures. Their survival from a small group of about 400 to a population of approximately 50,000 today highlights the resilience of their communal, pacifist tradition.

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