William Berkeley And Nathaniel Bacon And Bacon's Rebellion

In the mist of economic struggle in Virginia, due to the Navigation Acts and the rise of prices in goods, there was social tension in the colonies that lead to a rebellion. One wealthy individual, William Berkeley, had a key role in Bacon’s Rebellion. He was the governor of Virginia that possessed a great deal of land and held a monopoly on fur trade. Berkeley traded with Indians even though colonists disliked the Indians. Nathaniel Bacon, a noble man, always possessed status but when he could not compete with Berkeley he sought another way to become more powerful. Bacon with supporters like indentured servants, middle class and lower-class individuals, who were against Berkeley’s rule. William Berkeley and Nathaniel Bacon were two selfish …show more content…
As a well-known man, Berkeley uses his stature as one of his defense against Bacon’s allegations. In “The declarations and Remonstrance of Sir William Berkeley his most sacred Majesties Governor and Captain Generall of Virginia,” Berkeley states how others voted him unanimously for governor and how he did not lose but three men in war (Berkeley). These are merely self-accomplishments therefore they do not show that he is not capable of the corrupt allegations Bacon accused him of. Bacon’s actions do not prove him innocent either. Bacon always held status which allowed him to easily gain the support of lower class individuals. He never showed any prior interests in the struggles of people in the lower class. Bacon although could not compete with Berkeley and used the Indians as a solution. When Bacon attacked the Indians, his intentions were to gain more land for others but he also knew Berkeley’s fur monopoly would perish. Berkeley and Bacon are only driven by their selfish …show more content…
Berkeley only states self-accomplishments that should prove how great of a governor he is to the colonists of Virginia. There is only the fact that he spent thirty-four years with the colonists and he did not lose more than three men during the war (Berkeley). Berkeley concerns himself with his fur trade and land. Colonists would not be upset with his leadership if Berkeley was concerned about the lower class. Bacon saw an opportunity to take advantage of the struggles of lower-class men under Berkeley’s rule. In “The Declaration of the People,” he states that he protects the Indians and favors them over the colonists under his rule. Bacon can use this to accuse Berkeley of treason and take away his power. Although it seems both individuals concern themselves with the colonists, they are both covering up their selfish desires to get rid of one