Portfolio: Essay 1

Bacon’s Rebellion & Politics

“Bacon attracted a large following who, like him, wanted to kill or drive out every Indian in Virginia. When Berkeley denied Bacon a commission (the authority to lead soldiers), Bacon took it upon himself to lead his followers in a crusade against the `enemy’.”¹ Bacon went against Berkeley, because he couldn’t get his way. Then he made irrational choices to become a leader which for a short time went his way. I believe political instability, caused by the unfair judgment, greed, and stubbornness of leaders, was a major factor in Bacon’s Rebellion. I don’t agree with Nathaniel Bacon’s decision in creating the rebellion, much less his actions during it.

According to the Great Republic by the Master Historians, edited by Hubert H. Bancroft, “When Charles I was executed, the planters of Virginia declared for his son... They gladly welcomed Charles II to the throne, and accepted with acclimation a royal governor, Sir William Berkeley. It was not long, however, ere they found a reason for a second opinion… The Assembly… was kept permanently in session and the inhabitants became prey of venal office holders… Commercial laws were instituted which bore severely upon the planters.”² The planters who were satisfied with their leaders in the beginning disagreed with their government officials because they were treated unfairly. The political officials decided to target one class with overwhelming laws. Nathaniel Therefore, I believe the planters had every right to not agree with their office holders.

The government also caused dilemmas in the Chesapeake Society. Another source stated “Berkeley continually pleaded for restraint from the colonists…”³ because the Indians in Chesapeake were being murdered. “Some, including Bacon, refused to listen. Nathaniel Bacon disregarded the Governors Direct orders by seizing some friendly Appomattox Indians…”⁴ The article also stated that the “Long Assembly was accused of corruption because of its ruling regarding trade with the Indians. A government commission was established to monitor trading among these specially chosen to make sure the Indian were not receiving any arms of ammunition.”⁵ The Indians were in Chesapeake before the colonist came and basically took over. It makes sense why the government wouldn’t like to give the Indians any guns, because they may use it against them. But, it’s the Assembly’s fault for not making an alliance with them in the beginning. Maybe they would’ve made enemies if the colonists’ government wasn’t so greedy.

Today some people still do rebel against their “authority”, but not as irrational as Nathaniel Bacon of course. One Major rebellion had even changed the freedoms of a certain race. Such as the boycotting, marches, and speeches from African Americans in the early 1900’s to stop racism, so they can be treated as equals. Even teachers rebel against the School Board when they stop teaching and start strikes to prove their points or get their thoughts heard. Another difference between now and then is, there aren’t colonies in America any more. Now there are 50 states that make up a giant country. Our government also tries to listen to their people somewhat. They also have tried to make equal rights for all, instead of targeting the “lowest class”. Everyone is now supposed to be treated as equals, even though some don’t agree.

When the government isn’t politically stable, many will want to disagree because the leaders aren’t taking care of all their people. Not saying all will rebel and take it into their own hands as Nathaniel Bacon did, but you can never be too careful. The government may also become corrupt if they make untrustworthy or ravage actions like the Virginia officers did against the Indians. For all the decisions made by older leaders that failed to prove a point , hopefully upcoming presidents, mayors, governors, and representatives choose to make one that will truly better our country.

₁ the Great Republic by the Master Historians, edited by Hubert H. Bancroft, http://pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part1/1p274.html

₂ Volume 1: The Great Republic by the Master Historians Edited by Charles Morris, Great Republic Publishing Co. 1912 http://books.google.com/books?id=yhYEAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA260&lpg=PA260&dq=when+charles+i+was+executed+the+planters+of+virginia+declared+for+his+son&source=web&ots=vvRcx6IMY2&sig=wG8hfoNFOgXleGsOMFwLsRqmHik

_{3 & 4}Colonial National Park James town Historic Briefs on Bacon’s Rebellion, Susan McCulley
June 1987 Revised by Jen Loux William and Mary Intern November 1995 http://www.nps.gov/archive/colo/Jthanout/BacRebel.html