By the 1670s, Virginia Colony was experiencing division between a class of wealthy landowners and the poorer colonists, both free and indentured servants. Resentment grew as the poorer class perceived the colonial government, especially Governor William Berkeley, as serving the interests of the wealthy.
Tensions were especially high surrounding the issue of Native American relations. Berkeley had come to an agreement with neighboring tribes about land use. He promised that settlers would not push further west. Colonists living on the western frontier, however, resented this restriction. They felt that all of the good land had already been taken by the wealthy and they were being denied an opportunity to better their own economic situations.
Tensions were especially high surrounding the issue of Native American relations. Berkeley had come to an agreement with neighboring tribes about land use. He promised that settlers would not push further west. Colonists living on the western frontier, however, resented this restriction. They felt that all of the good land had already been taken by the wealthy and they were being denied an opportunity to better their own economic situations.