Americanism

Here is how the governor of Plymouth, William Bradford, explained how the pilgrims were able to survive. This memoir (if you can make adjustments for the Old English spellings), History of Plimoth Plantation:

"The experience that was had in this commone course and condition, tried sundrie years, and that amongst godly and sober men, may well evince the vanitie of that conceite of Plato & other ancients, applauded by some of later times;  that the taking away of properties, and bringing it in communitie into a commone wealth, would make them happy and flourishing; as if they were wiser than God

For this communitie (so farr as it was) was found to breed much confusion & discontent, and retard much employment that would have been to their benefite and comforte. For yet young men that were most able and fitte for labor & services did repine that they should spend their time & strength to worke for other mens wives and children with out any recompense."

So the men complained that the communal effort was making them work like dogs for other men's families. Very similar today how many people work to support others through taxation.

Only after it was decided that men could reap the fruit they sowed and keep the fruits of their labours did the colony survive and flourish. Without the change the colony would have been wiped out.