The pilgrims tried communism as part of the Mayflower Pact. It didn't work. The youngest and fittest became resentful, lazy and unwilling to toil for others. Then Gov. William Bradford of Plymouth, gave everyone their own land and they were allowed to keep the results of their own labors. That's when they started to thrive.
Bradford wrote about the experience:
“The experience that was had in this common course and condition, tired sundry years . . . that by taking away property, and bringing community into a common wealth, would make them happy and flourishing -- as if they were wiser than God . . . “ “For this community was found to breed much confusion and discontent, and retard much employment that would have been to their benefit and comfort. For young men that were most able and fit for labor and service did repine that they should spend their time and strength to work for others men's wives and children without recompense . . . that was thought injustice.”