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Critical analysis on bacons rebellion
Essay on Bacon’s Rebellion: Treason or Justified Rebellion
Critical analysis on bacons rebellion
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Brittany Paash Mrs. Blomme Honors 3 October 2014 Bacon’s Rebellion Nathaniel Bacon led the Bacon Rebellion against Sir William Berkley, who was the governor of Virginia (Bacon’s Rebellion). This rebellion was mostly an uprising of events caused by a confusing struggle between two very selfish leaders, with their own opinions. Bacon and Berkley’s feuding produced many problems for the people of Jamestown and Jamestown itself. Their feuding was also one of the major conflicts that provoked Nathaniel Bacon to rebel against Sir William Berkley. There were many different problems leading to, or resulting from Bacon’s Rebellion. Along with the causes and effects of the rebellion, there is also a huge significance of the rebellion left by Bacon …show more content…
and Sir Berkley.
The significance of Bacon’s Rebellion was that “The government in Virginia became frightened by the threat of Civil War, and Bacon’s Rebellion was the first rebellion in the American colonies(Military History).” This showed the government did not want to fight or go to war, because they were frightened from the threat. Bacon was the reason behind all this and the one to blame. Bacon’s Rebellion brought forth challenges for the colonists, the war between Sir William Berkley and Nathaniel Bacon himself, and Bacon’s “Declaration of the People” and his oath. Bacon’s Rebellion began in 1676 (Bacon’s Rebellion), when Bacon was sent by his father to Virginia in hopes of gaining maturity. Maturity is clearly not what Nathaniel Bacon gained, or had in mind for that matter. Instead he began to disagree and generate problems with his cousin by marriage, Sir William Berkley. Even though Berkley treated Bacon with respect and love, by giving him a place to stay and a job, Bacon still continued to disrespect and ruin Berkley. Bacon did not only cause problems for Berkley, but also for the town of Jamestown and the people in it. If Bacon would not have been sent to Virginia, these problems could have …show more content…
been prevented. Berkely could have held stayed in control of the colonists, and none of this would have happened. There were more problems left by the rebellion then there were advantages. Because of Bacon’s Rebellion, the price of tobacco declined(Historic Jamestown), causing many difficulties for the economy. This low price was hard on the economy because they were not receiving as much money as they did before the rebellion. Bacon’s Rebellion also increased taxes on the colonists. They found this to be very unfair. They also did not believe paying such higher taxes was necessary for them. Prices for manufactured goods also increased. Because of all these problems, the colonists were looking for someone to blame for all this madness. They decided to blame it all on the Doeg Indian tribe,(Historic Jamestown) led by Thomas Mathews. This caused the Doeg Indians to attack the colonists. This dreadful and shocking raid killed many of the Doeg Indians, which was also caused by the argument over some items Mathews held that were not paid for. When the colonists decided to go on strike, they figured they would attack the Doeg Indians and start a fight again. Instead of attacking them, the colonists mistaken them for the Susquehanaugs(Historical Jamestown), which then resulted in more problems and caused larger raids to occur. Once Berkley realized it was only about to get worse from here on out, he decided he needed to figure something out and put his foot down.
He believed it would be a good idea to call forth a meeting where all the parties would get together as one and discuss the issues they were facing. This clearly was not such a appreciable idea to celebrate. The meeting between the parties was not healing the issues between them, because it was only killing people including tribal chiefs. While this disaster was still proceeding, Berkley begged for control over the colonists and peace between the parties. Many colonists disregarded Berkley’s plea for help, and they just continued on with the violence. Some of these colonists included Bacon(Historical Jamestown), who just made matters worse by blaming some innocent Appomattox Indians for supposedly stealing corn. William Berkley then scolded Bacon for his wrong doing. This caused great complications for the Virginians, because they began to wonder if either Berkley or Bacon had made the right choice. This was the major marking of the battle between Bacon and Berkley. On a hot July day in 1776(Military History), Nathaniel Bacon gathered his army of Susquehannoks alongside their allies. Bacon’s army also consisted of landowners, servants and slaves, whom waited on Bacon’s side as he directed his commands. On the other side with Berkley, was his English army and Militia waiting to attack from behind. Bacon then addressed his army
“Gentlemen and fellow soldiers, the news just brought to me may not a little startle you as myself. The Governor is now in Gloster County endeavouring to raise forces against us, having declared us Rebells and Traytors. They had rather wee should be murder’d and out ghosts send to our slaughter’d countrymen by their actings, then we should live to hinder them of their interest and heathen” (Military History). Once Bacon heard of Berkley’s sneak attack with his army, Bacon thought it would be best to just march his army back to Jamestown in order to provide an unpleasant attack on Berkley. This way Bacon and his army could attack head on instead of getting attacked themselves, surprisingly, from behind by Berkley. Bacon did not believe his finish to be strong enough so he searched for a better way to complete his victory, as he called it. Bacon issued his Declaration of the people on July 30, 1676(Military History). His declaration stated Berkley was untrustworthy, the type of person the colonists did not believe him to be. The colonists believed him to be very trusting, and also a strong and powerful leader. This also declared William Berkley was continuously playing favorites on his people. He was only protecting and shielding his people for his own selfish purposes. Berkley did this to make everyone believe he was a good person, so the colonists would lean to his side while fighting. Also, if he did not have all his soldiers on his side that he did, Berkley would not have been able to defend himself and his opinions. Not only did Bacon issue his declaration, but he also issued his oath to be faithful to Berkley at all times(Military History). Bacon and his men were eventually invaded and captured, which helped Berkley gain his power back. Bacon was now furious, so he kidnapped Berkley’s important supporter’s wives. He also burnt Jamestown down to nothing on September 19, 1676( Military History). Bacon started losing control and his popularity, when he mentioned wanting to capture Berkley, so no one listened to him. Bacon later died of Bloody Fluix and body lice on October 26th, 1676(Military History). His Death inspired this quote “Bacon is dead I am sorry at my hart that Fluix and lice should take the hangman’s part”(Military History). Berkley then gained success and control after Bacon passed. “Thus ended one of the most unusual and complicated chapters in Jamestown(Historic Jamestown)”. Nathaniel Bacon and Sir William Berkley fought for their own opinions, against each other, until they died. Even Though there was no clear winner throughout this whole crisis, they both believed to have accomplished something at some point in time. This was entirely a confusing struggle between two different and strong perspectives. Bacon’s Rebellion brought forth many challenges for the colonists, war between Bacon and Berkley, and Bacon’s Declaration of the People along with his oath. Between Berkley’s want to control everyone, including Bacon, and Bacon’s refusal to everything Berkley said, together they almost entirely destroyed Jamestown.
Bacon’s Rebellion, King Phillip’s War and the Pequot War were similar in that there were conflicts with Natives over land, however they differed in the ways the wars were carried out and the results of the wars. Bacon’s rebellion was a result of the poorer classes moving west to cultivate land, however they encountered natives and the governor refused to protect them. Likewise the Pequot war was a direct effect of puritans moving westward, additionally all three wars resulted in the colonists as victors. During King Phillip’s war the natives destroyed a fifth of the towns in Masseuses and Rhode Island in contrast to the other wars where the natives did not cause as much damage to the colonists. Bacon’s Rebellion was significant because afterwards
Bacon was a man of opportunity and when a farmer that tried to trade with Native Americans was killed, it became his ticket to making it big in the New World. Only the governor, William Berkley, was allowed to trade with the Native Americans and nobody else. When the farmer was killed, William Berkley denied the upset colonists their desire to fight back. In doing so, it led Bacon to challenge his authority. He began to rally up colonists living in the backcountry where the colonists had no representation, no opportunity to achieve a fortune, and lived in a hostile environment. Everything those colonists did not have would be Bacon’s leverage in convincing them to support him and his cause. He had led 1,000 men to fight with him in hopes to rule the colony and would make changes to their benefit. William Berkley then branded Bacon as a rebel and sent for British troops. Bacon and his supporters then went into the backcountry where he eventually died of
Things in Jamestown were good. The people were fed, cared for, and happy. They created their own working government order, but, in a place where everything seems perfect, there is always one man to disagree. In this case, his name was Nathaniel Bacon.
...able behavior far different from that of rebellion.” The colonists held their tongues as long as they could, but in 1676, their frustration grew too strong. Bacon and a thousand Virginians rebelled and overthrew the governor, in what is known as Bacon’s Rebellion. Shortly after the rebellion, Bacon died, and Governor Berkeley returned and viciously crushed the brigands.
During this entire period the British were starting to make attempts to intimidate the colonists in hopes to end the rebellions. It seemed that the more and more England tried to scare the people, the angrier they got. The tactics obviously didn't work, but instead pushed the colonists even further into standing up against Britain. The British soldiers in America were told not to entice violence, and especially not to kill anybody.
Based on his declaration, some may think that he was representing all of the people in Virginia. Bacon insisted that his declaration was for the people, but there was not much evidence to prove his claim. The declaration may have suggested the economic and social status of his followers were lower-class by referring to them as “Comonality” (Bacon's Declaration in the Name of the People 30 July 1676). This term could mean that the majority of the people were not
The most important issue prompting Americans to rebel in 1776 is clearly parliamentary taxation. The first time a Parliamentary imposed tax threatened the livelihood of the colonies was in 1733 with the Molasses Act, stemmed from the loss of profit for the British West Indies under the Navigation Act. However, this act was avoidable and rarely paid. Following the long and harrowing French and Indian War, Britain was deep in debt and George Grenville was appointed British Chancellor. He was determined to pay off the debt by brutally taxing the colonies. He not only reinforced the ignored Navigation Acts, but he placed the new Sugar Act which was similar to the Molasses Act which put a tax on rum and molasses imported from West Indies, but this Act would be enforced. Needless to say, the colonists were not used to this intrusion of Parliament and felt that it was wrong because there were no members in Parliament to represent the colonies. They felt it was a direct violation of their civil liberties and the first whiff of resentment was beginning to spawn. Next was the Currency Act which disregarded the colonies paper money, forcing the colonist to pay in only silver and sending their economy into chaos. Perhaps the most important and controversial acts were the Stamps Acts that placed a tax on legal documents, almanacs, newspaper, pamphlets, playing cards and dice.
During the years of 1675 and 1676 the North American colonies experienced conflicts that shaped the dynamics of their colonial life. King Phillip's War would effectively end relations between the New England colonists and the Indians. Also, the rebellion in Virginia led by Nathaniel Bacon stressed the growing discontent of poor frontier farmers for British rule. The consequences of these two events clearly had an impact on different levels that would extend well beyond their time. Therefore, the years 1675 and 1676 played a very significant role in the Northern American colonies.
One of the greatest similarities that presented these characters or rebellion is caused by their particular oppositions against their government. For instance, Roger Williams, proposed religious freedom and the separation of the church and state. Anne Hutchinson centered theology through meetings. Nathaniel Bacon request authorization from Berkeley to raise a militia to pacify the Indians of the colony’s frontier. The Stonos Rebellion was based on a slave rebellion. Finally, James Davenport made controversial actions as a preacher
According to “People and Events: Bacon’s Rebellion” in 1676 Virginia a group of men that included white frontiersman, along with many servants and slaves led a rebellion that forced the governor to flee after the rebels had set fire to Jamestown, which at that time had 40,000 people. King Charles I sent a thousand soldiers to Jamestown hoping to quell the situation and establish order back into the colony of Jamestown. This uprising was led by Nathaniel Bacon and would later become known as Bacon’s Rebellion.
Bacon insisted on organizing a colony militia to fight the Indians outside of Jamestown. William Berkeley, the governor of Jamestown, proclaimed Bacon a rebel and had him jailed.
Indians were enraged and took their revenge on frontier settlements. Attacks continued southward down to James River. After revenge was accomplished, Governor Berkeley proposed that the assembly erect a series of forts along the frontier but it wouldn't open new lands of settlements and would be expensive. In 1676, Bacon defied Berkeley's authority by recruiting a small armed force. The rebellion he led was largely of servants, small farmers, and slaves against Virginia's wealthiest planters and political leaders. Bacon despised indigenous people and resolved to kill them all but Berkeley opposed of Bacon's plan because he liked the Indians and wanted to protect his Indian deerskin trade. Bacon ordered the governor arrested but his men burned Jamestown. He fell ill and died a month later. Berkeley quickly regained control. The results of Bacon's rebellion were new lands that were opened to colonists and wealthy planters became more cooperative with small farmers but convinced large planters that they'd be better served by bringing enslaved Africans to work their
As said from part of Virginia Colonial National History Park, “Feeling that it would make his triumph complete, Bacon issued his "Declaration of the People" on July 30, 1676 which stated that Berkeley was corrupt, played favorites and protected the Indians for his own selfish purposes.” Settlers did agree that Berkeley was indeed corrupt but their judgement still would not matter because Berkeley knew he still had contol over them. All that mattered to Berkeley was himself and the wealthy. When he imposed taxes, poor settlers just couldn’t afford them but that didn’t affect Berkeley because he was still rich. He did not help the poor but instead made them suffer even more with the lowering tobacco prices. In Nathaniel Bacon — First American Rebel By Inez Nellie Canfield McFee it says, “To add to their troubles, the Indians began to attack the settlers along the frontier. Their fields were laid waste, their servants killed, and their stock driven off and slaughtered; but the Governor would not lift a hand to protect them, not wanting to lose his profitable fur trade.” So to add to Berkeley’s selfishness, he did not care about settler’s safety either because he knew it would affect his wealth based on the fur trade. This is why he did not retaliate against the Natives. This is not something a governor should do against his people. It is why it should be understandable why Bacon’s Rebellion was created, because
Bacon’s rebellion occurred in colonial Virginia in 1676. A large widespread dispute between governor William Berkeley and Nathaniel bacon was the start of it. While some historians argue the cause of this rebellion to some extent was personal, most agree that it was due to high taxes, prices of tobacco, and the right to land of native Americans as well as protection against them. This armed rebellion or revolt led by bacon as against the rule and policies of governor Berkeley. Since governor Berkeley had failed to address the demands of the colonists, mainly not retaliating to native Americans, a popular uprising against Berkeley was encouraged by Nathaniel bacon. However, bacon’s rebellion was not in the interested of protecting native
Dubious in both life and workmanship, Francis Bacon was a standout amongst the most imperative painters of the twentieth century. His amazing, unsettling pictures have a remarkable energy to irritate, stun, and frequent the observer, "to unlock the valves of feeling and therefore return the onlooker to life more violently". Prominent author David Sylvester gives the authoritative record of Bacons works, drawing on his unparalleled individual information of Bacon's motivations and plans, he first offers a discriminating outline of the improvement of Bacon's work from 1933 to the mid-1990s, and afterward addresses its critical viewpoints. Sylvester additionally repeats beforehand unpublished concentrates from his commended discussions with Bacon