Nathaniel Bacon's Rebellion

It was one of the very first rebellions ever to take place following the English colonization of North America. A rebellion that would pave the way for shocking repercussions in the formation of our history as a country and a people: Bacon’s Rebellion. In this paper I will be explaining who Nathaniel Bacon was, what exactly he did, why Nathaniel did this, and most importantly the results of his actions. The story begins on January 2nd, 1647 at Friston Hall, in the small region of Suffolk, England. On this day, a small baby boy by the name of Nathaniel Bacon was born. He was the only son of Thomas Bacon who was a wealthy and respected landowner. Nathaniel was remembered as being “Young, bold, active, of an inviting aspect, and powerful elocution.”(as …show more content…
With the use of his father's money, the Governor assisted Bacon in the purchase of a land estate about 40 miles Northwest of the Jamestown Colony. Being of such a wealthy and high social status, Berkeley also granted Bacon a seat on the council of the House of Burgesses. In 1676, Following two tense and violent years along the frontier (which included much loss and hardship for many frontiersmen [including Bacon] at the hands of the Indians), Nathaniel Bacon approached Governor Berkeley and pleaded him for the authority to lead troops against the Indians. Knowing this would significantly harm his “illegal” but lucrative fur trade with the Indians, Berkeley firmly denied Bacon's request claiming it would only “Excite the Indians further, and that their outbreak would soon cease”(as quoted by Innes Nellie Canfield McFee 1). Frustrated, Bacon returned to his camp and gathered with his fellow frontiersmen. They pronounced Bacon as their leader and decided to take matters into their own hands. Immediately, they set out to massacre the Indian encampments along the Roanoke River. Governor Berkeley was furious with Bacon for defying him, and sent “positive orders to him to disperse his men and come down in person to him, upon pain of being declared a rebel”(as stated by Ver Steeg and Hofstadter 3). But it was too late. Feeling the colony was finally …show more content…
That very next day, after slipping out of Jamestown in the cover of night, Bacon and his men around 600 strong marched down upon Jamestown. Backed by his small army, Bacon forced Governor Berkeley to appoint him as general of the forces of Virginia. Finally having the authority to take their revenge on the Indians, Bacon set out for Indian country at once. As soon as the rebels had gone, Berkeley issued a proclamation of rebellion against Bacon which called for the raising of a militia to fight the rebels. Hearing word of this, Bacon immediately turned his men around and marched back to Jamestown. But there was no army or