Bacon’s Rebellion was a popular revolt in colonial Virginia in 1676 which was led by Nathaniel Bacon. The uprising developed because of high taxes, low prices for tobacco, and anger towards Sir Berkeley because he provided special privileges that were given to those close to the Berkeley.
How did Nathaniel Bacon justify his rebellion?
Modern historians have suggested that the rebellion was a power play by Bacon against Berkeley and his favoritism towards certain members of the court . While Bacon was on the court, he was not within Berkeley’s inner circle of council members and disagreed with him on many issues.
Nathaniel Bacon, (born January 2, 1647, Suffolk, England—died October 1676, Virginia [U. S.]), Virginia planter and leader of Bacon’s Rebellion (1676), the first popular revolt in England’s North American colonies. A kinsman of the famous Sir Francis Bacon, Nathaniel Bacon graduated from the University of Cambridge, toured the continent, and studied law at Gray’s Inn.
Why did Nathaniel Bacon oppose the colonial government?
Bacon lived in western Virginia and wanted settlers to be able to expand west onto Native American land. He believed the colonial government was dominated by peoples who lived in eastern Virginia, who were not responding to the demands of the western settlers.
You should be thinking “Why did Nathaniel Bacon oppose colonial government?”
One answer is, what impact did Bacon’s Rebellion have on Virginia? He opposed the colonial government because it was full of easterners. This showed that the government can not ignore the people.
You could be asking “Why is Nathaniel Bacon considered a colonial hero?”
In 1676, Nathaniel Bacon led a rebellion against Virginia’s governor, William Berkeley. For this reason, many colonists loyal to the governor would have considered Bacon a traitor. However, Bacon led the rebellion in defense of the interests of colonial farmers.
Why did Nathaniel Bacon attack Jamestown?
When Berkeley refused to grant Bacon a military commission to attack all Indians, Bacon mustered his own force of 400–500 men and moved up the James River to attack the Doeg and Pamunkey tribes. Although both had generally lived peaceably with the colonists, and had not attacked the frontier settlements, their cultivated lands were valuable.
Why did Nathaniel Bacon burned down Jamestown?
Knowing that Bacon was returning to Jamestown with a large force, Berkeley arrested the wives and family members of leading rebels, including Bacon’s mother, and forced them to stand on the ramparts as the Rebels approached on September 19, 1676, Outraged, Bacon ordered the fortress and the city burned to the ground.