The Role Of Slavery In Eric Foner's Voices Of Freedom

With a growing demand for tobacco and sugar and a shortage of workers, England saw slavery as the only option. Britain had been colonizing in the new world for many years before slavery became a commonplace in English-American society. In fact, in Give Me Liberty author Eric Foner writes, “...the shipping of slaves from Africa to the New World became a major international business. But only a relative handful were brought to England’s mainland colonies. By the time plantation slavery became a major feature of life in English North America, it was already well entrenched elsewhere in the Western Hemisphere”(Foner p96). It was crucial that English-America fixed the shortage of workers problem, unfortunately the solution they chose was slavery.
At the time, Governor Berkeley of Virginia had peaceful relations with the remaining Indian tribes on the outskirts of Virginia, but many white colonists felt entitled to that land. So much so that they decided to revolt under the guidance of Nathaniel Bacon, a wealthy planter. In Voices of Freedom by Eric Foner, there is an account written by Nathaniel Bacon that lists all the offensives of Governor Berkeley and the reason for the rebellion. Bacon declares on behalf of the people of Virginia that the Governor has, “...protected , favoured and emboldened the Indians against his Majesty’s loyal subjects, never contriving, requiring, or appointing any due or proper means of satisfaction for their many invasions, murders, and robberies committed upon us”(Foner VOF p53). Bacon and his supporters marched on Jamestown and burned it to the ground, and while this looked like a win, it was only temporary. Warships from England arrived and restored peace to Virginia. The threat of a civil war among whites was far too great. To avoid this, taxes were reduced and the Indian land that was once off limits was now open to