Holton’s theory that Indians, merchants, slaves, and debtors thrust Virginia into the independence movement, and the gentry’s motives for joining the revolution were those of maintaining power not liberty. Holton’s book did not disprove the traditional reason for Virginia’s participation in the revolution, but rather shed light on another reason. An accumulation of reasons that lead to revolution, in order to defend colonial rights, the colonists must have power to assert those…
Many factors led up to Bacon's Rebellion of 1675-1676 such as the end of salutary neglect in the New England colonies that resulted in England taking control of the colonies and creating high taxes on the their products. As well as former indentured servants being attacked by natives in their attempts at finding free land to the West and royal governor Berkeley stopping elections in the House of Burgesses for nearly fourteen years (HC). Some may argue that Bacon's Rebellion made no changes in Virginia or the colonies because the royal government still remained in power. However, there were more changes as result of Bacon's Rebellion such as allowing an election in the House of Burgesses for the first time in almost fourteen years, as well…
James Rice’s Tales from a Revolution: Bacon’s Rebellion and the Transformation of Early America gives an in depth narrative of Bacon’s Rebellion and how it impacted the other aspects of American history. In doing this, Rice “consulted most of the originals” (xx) and some manuscripts. The diaries and correspondence of the characters drives the narrative and accuracy of this book. The sources are definitely used effectively as it especially benefits the narrative with the direct quotes that are used throughout and is beneficial in knowing that the information is coming from primary sources. These sources fairly represent both sides as they are primary sources and there is only but so much leeway one can have with sources such as the one Rice uses in this book.…
The Chesapeake's focus was mainly economic gain. The people of New England believed that everyone was entitled to "a convenient proportion for a house lot" (Doc. D). On the contrary, Chesapeake's were constantly worried about economic inequalities. They were always concerned about the disappearance of the public's money. In Bacon's "Manifesto" he stated that he public's finances had been "contrived away by unworthy favorites and juggling parasites" (Doc. H); Bacon uses this to justify his rebellion against Virginia Governor Berkeley in 1676. Even on John Smith's ship set for Virginia, there were sailors who's main reason was to seek gold. Among them "there was no talk but [to] dig gold, wash gold, refine gold, [and] load gold" (Doc. F). This shows the avariciousness of some New Englanders. Rebellions were almost unheard of in New England because the people lived an economically peaceful life, where everyone was a farmer, and everyone could have "a share of the meadow or planting ground" (Doc. D). They rarely ever worried about financial troubles; and if in the slight chance that there were people who were more profitable than others, laborers, artisans, and tradesmen were assured that "receiving such moderate profit [would] enable them to serve God" (Doc. E). Rebellions and such, or lack thereof, effected the lifestyles of Chesapeake and New England and elongated their apparent…
Another big grievance the colonists had with Britain was taxes. John Hancock represented the colonists by writing a letter talking about how the taxes imposed by the township acts was unconstitutional (doc 4). Britain was in debt from the war so they started an act called the stamp act and it was taxing on all printed paper. They also threatened to pull down and burn…
It was a rebellion against corrupt officials. One could argue that it was the predecessor to the American Revolutionary War. The North Carolina county officials were cruel and corrupted. They were very governed their people in tyranny. Many officials of different counties banded with each other to form a united front in extorting money and imposing harsh taxes for their own personal gain. The colonial governor failed to act accordingly to stop the unjust actions of the officials because it was afraid that it would cost him the endorsements of the said officials. Culpepper's Rebellion in the Carolinas was also a political revolt. The current governor of Carolina, John Jenkins, was very weak minded and so, Thomas Miller, a customs official, established the "Proprietary Party" of what would be today's North Carolina, and named himself governor, replacing Jenkins. To combat Miller and his proprietary party's takeover of the colony, John Culpepper took it upon himself to establish the "Anti-Proprietary" party. Miller was captured but he eventually escaped and filed a suit against Culpepper in England. Culpepper was tried for treason but was later acquitted when evidence showed that Miller violated the charter by proclaiming his party and himself as…
B. In 1676, sparked not by a Dutch invasion but by an Indian attack, rebellion swept Virginia.…
In the Chesapeake Region, a “House of Burgesses” was established to create order. This was the name for a representational assembly that took control of the economic, military, and all other important aspects of the Chesapeake Region. They were essentially the entity that governed and controlled the region. The burgesses would vote for the region’s governor, but many times the governor himself controlled the burgesses and was therefore reelected. There was a lot of corruption within this system, which was one the main reasons Bacon’s rebellion occurred in 1676. Governor Berkeley’s inability to take over Indian land for his people and protect them from constant attacks was the last straw that broke the camel’s back (G). Bacon and a thousand of his followers exiled Virginia’s Governor Berkeley and justified the rebellion with treason and disloyalty (H). In addition, the family unit of the Chesapeake Region consisted of young, single men. Men of these characteristics were attracted by the idea of making a name for themselves and becoming rich, and therefore became the majority of people immigrating into the Chesapeake Region (C).…
4. Bacon's rebellion- A rebellion against Native American tribes by led by Planter Nathaniel Bacon after his foreman was murdered by an indian arrow. This was just the straw that broke the camel's back the colonists had growing frustrations that their expectations for safety had not been met.…
Bacon's Rebellion was an armed rebellion in 1676 by Virginia settlers led by young Nathaniel Bacon against the rule of Governor William Berkeley. The colony's lightly organized frontier political culture combined with accumulating grievances (including, but not limited to, he left Bacon out of his inner circle, and refused to allow Bacon to be a part of his fur trade with the Indians), especially regarding Indian attacks, to motivate a popular uprising against Berkeley. He had failed to address the demands of the colonists regarding their safety, probably to keep his trading with the Indians secure. A few armed merchant ships from London whose captains sided with Berkeley and the loyalists first suppressed the rebellion. Government forces from England arrived soon after and spent several years defeating pockets of resistance and reforming the colonial government to one more directly under royal control.…
The Bacon’s Rebellion was an uprising in Jamestown, Virginia in 1676 led by 29 year old planter Nathaniel Bacon. The uprising was caused by thousand of Virginians gathering all with the same resentment against the governor William Berkeley. Many were upset because of Berkeley's kind policies toward the American Indians. The Bacon’s Rebellion was a major turning point for America in many ways one being forced removal of Berkeley from office.…
Since Virginia's establishment as a colony, the newly freed men suffered exploitation from the upper echelons of society. Indentured servants and later settlers came to the new world seeking financial independence and a better life. After years of indentured servitude the newly-freed men would find themselves stuck in the very situation they sought to free themselves from. This lack of financial independence and social mobility created a general feeling of discontent culminating in Bacon's Rebellion.…
However, the townspeople of Concord did little to protest these acts, and certainly not in the way Boston displayed their outrage. The people of Concord were more interested in the goings on in their own town, and thought other colonies could handle the dispute (Gross, 1). As was the case in most towns at this time, there was much political conflict present in Concord. The struggle came from a power struggle among the government officials, rather than the townspeople. Also, the town became too large to accommodate its entire population, many families living on the outskirts of town became disgruntled and longed to separate from Concord into another smaller town (Gross, 16). As it grew families settled further away from town buildings, schools, and churches (Gross. 15). Travelling several miles a day was not desirable to anyone. This became a major source of conflict among the townspeople. If granted status, then the town would lose land and the citizens would be responsible for paying a larger portion of the minister’s income (Gross, 16). The church presented another area of conflict, due to problems within the ministry. Not only were men vying for positions in the church, but also for government offices. Dr. Joseph Lee was at the center of this conflict. To obtain an office Lee had to gain the approval of the congregation and church officials. This was a problem for Lee, as he had issues with several members of the church (Gross, 23). The continued problems within the church caused division within the town and affected the way it responded to the Revolution (Gross,…
After all of the hardship and violence the British imposed on the colonists, the Americans were justified in waging war and breaking away from Britain. The Colonists were justified in breaking away because the parliament passed laws that were unjustified, The British king was of tyranny, The Stamp Act of 1765, The Townshend Act and The Boston Massacre. All of this lead to the colonies joining together and rebelling against the British.…
The Bacon Rebellion was a Virginian uprising against their governor William Berkely. There were several reasons leading up to this uprising, and causing Bacon to stand up and lead this attack. One main reason that applied to Bacon was that he was not allowed to be in the fur trade with the Native Americans. This angered him and was a key reason he started this uprising. The other main reason was the dismissive policy, and lack of care or regard for the safety of the people. Because of this, thousands of Virginians from all social classes banded together to revolt against William Berkeley and his corrupt…