Bacon's Rebellion

Long-standing tensions between the pissed and the poor and working class of the Virginia dependency burst suddenly into a revolution in 1676 (Washburn 72). The elite group vigorously remained united to maintain their hold on the best(p) land of the colonies and the most valuable resources. That control by the wealthy aristocrats changed soon. Free men who lived along the James River had become win over that Governor William Berkeleys plans to protect them from Indian assaults were inadequate and decided to stand up their own campaign, which Nathaniel Bacon, a wealthy planter, agreed to lead, (Washburn 87). Bacon and his men took it upon them selves to rally blows with the Indians. They made few distinctions among massacring Indian tribes, killing friends and enemies alike.

Bacon demanded a earnings for equipment to fight off the Indians when Governor Berkeley invited him to Jamestown. The governor was convinced Bacon make up a greater threat to the colony than the Indians. The men under Bacons command were former indentured servants who had received land grants subsequently completing their indentures. Virginias elite had long feared that the grievances of free men, servants, and slaves would boil over into open rebellion. Berkeley therefore charged Bacon and his men with treason, (Washburn 111). Bacon arrived in Jamestown with five-spot hundred men on June 6, where he was detained.



Having regained authority, the governor pardoned him, however Bacon was not yet fulfilled. Bacon and several of his men confronted the governor and demanded a commission and authorization to recruit an army. Berkeley agreed and later disappeared to the easterly Shore. Bacon spent three months raising volunteers and pillaging the settlements of Berkeley loyalists, (Wertenbake 224).

        Ironically, Berkeley unknowingly provide the revolution by promising freedom to servants who joined his ranks; consequently, he was unsuccessful in his attempt to raise...

If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: Orderessay



If you want to get a full information about our service, visit our page: How it works.