Nathaniel Bacon led one of the most memorable uprisings in history. As a 29-year-old, he led a thousand Virginians to rebel against Virginia Governor William Berkeley. There were many tensions that led to the rebellion, many people who were included in the rebellion, and a few long term consequences of the rebellion’s failure.
During the 17th century, many new settlers and indentured servants came to Virginia, which eventually caused tension between white freed men, indentured servants, and the government. Agriculture became one of the main sources of money, especially growing tobacco. Soon enough, tobacco prices decreased because of the excessive increase of production and the limitations on exports. Besides having a surplus in tobacco, Virginia …show more content…
As the population in Virginia grew, so did the competition between tribes and settlers for food and trade. Soon enough, violence broke out. Many militiamen, Indians, and settlers were murdered because of this tension. For example, more than 30 settlers were murdered during January 1676 by Indians. Most settlers saw the Indians as savages and just wanted to see them dead. However, Berkeley wanted to remain close to the friendly Indians instead of punishing all of the Indians. He thought that keeping a friendly relationship with the Indians would avoid war and would be beneficial for trade (Murrin, 68). This gave another reason for settlers to rebel against Berkeley. Many people, especially Bacon, believed that it was impossible to separate the friendly Indians from the mean Indians; all Indians were enemies. Berkeley tried to ease the tension by assembling frontier forts. These forts were meant to keep the Indians in that area, so less raids would happen. However, settlers thought that they were ineffective and a waste of money, and were simply a reason for Berkeley to raise the tax rates. and Settlers that lived along the frontier suffered from the chance being attacked by Indians and had to pay high taxes as well. Berkeley’s plan was not accepted by the majority of
During the 17th century, many new settlers and indentured servants came to Virginia, which eventually caused tension between white freed men, indentured servants, and the government. Agriculture became one of the main sources of money, especially growing tobacco. Soon enough, tobacco prices decreased because of the excessive increase of production and the limitations on exports. Besides having a surplus in tobacco, Virginia …show more content…
As the population in Virginia grew, so did the competition between tribes and settlers for food and trade. Soon enough, violence broke out. Many militiamen, Indians, and settlers were murdered because of this tension. For example, more than 30 settlers were murdered during January 1676 by Indians. Most settlers saw the Indians as savages and just wanted to see them dead. However, Berkeley wanted to remain close to the friendly Indians instead of punishing all of the Indians. He thought that keeping a friendly relationship with the Indians would avoid war and would be beneficial for trade (Murrin, 68). This gave another reason for settlers to rebel against Berkeley. Many people, especially Bacon, believed that it was impossible to separate the friendly Indians from the mean Indians; all Indians were enemies. Berkeley tried to ease the tension by assembling frontier forts. These forts were meant to keep the Indians in that area, so less raids would happen. However, settlers thought that they were ineffective and a waste of money, and were simply a reason for Berkeley to raise the tax rates. and Settlers that lived along the frontier suffered from the chance being attacked by Indians and had to pay high taxes as well. Berkeley’s plan was not accepted by the majority of