“After the thrilling scenes through which the Colony of Virginia passed during its earliest days, the most portentous, the most dramatic, the most picturesque event of its seventeenth century history was the insurrection known as "Bacon's Rebellion (quote found at www.newrivernotes.com/va/bacon.html)." Bacon’s Rebellion was the first revolt in America against the political system. Bacon’s Rebellion was not only the first revolt in America, but also the first revolt that frontiersman and the poor society took part. I’ve noticed that many people assume that Bacon was the complete bad guy through this event. What they don’t notice though is that the Virginians tried to take matters into their own hands, and failed (They say Template).The Rebellion really wouldn’t have happened if the Virginians didn’t support Bacon. He would’ve just been some regular guy who has his negative opinions about the Native race. What I can’t understand though is why they chose Bacon. This man was a stranger to them. He just happened to be their when this issue occurred. So whose fault is it really for Bacon’s Rebellion? Nathaniel Bacon, or the Virginians?
“In January 1667, The Susquehannahs (Natives) had, in a most inhumane maner, murthered no less then 60 innocent people, no ways guilty of any actual injury don on these ill disarming, brutish heathen...(Quote from document #5)." In the 1670’s, these attacks were on the rise in Virginia. As the Natives continued to attack the Virginians, Sir William Berkeley (governor of Virginia) took very little action and failed to defend the Virginians against the Natives. Many Virginians, including unemployed former indentured servants, thought Berkeley stood on the wrong side of this issue. The Virginians wanted Nathaniel Bacon to lead them because they believed that he was on their side. The Virginians wanted to make sure they were safe. They didn’t care how their issue was being handled; they just wanted this problem to be solved. Nathaniel Bacon demanded Berkeley to supply him with a military commission so he could take care of this problem, but Berkeley turned Bacon down because he wanted to establish peace with the native tribes. Since Berkeley’s plan to make peace with the Natives wasn’t working, Nathaniel Bacon went along with what he thought needed to be done even if it was against Berkeley.
Many Virginians, including unemployed former indentured servants, thought Berkeley stood on the wrong side of this issue. What the Virginians thought was important was their safety, not making peace with the Natives. The Virginians wanted Nathaniel Bacon to lead them since he was supposedly on their side for this issue. “When Bacon threatened to act without authorization, Berkeley declared him a rebel. The response was a public wave of support for Bacon, frightening Berkeley enough to trigger him to finally schedule an election for a new House of Burgesses. Bacon was elected, and Berkeley let him take his seat on the Council briefly (Quote from://www.virginiaplaces.org/military/bacon.html.” After that Bacon went along with his plans. “Bacon quickly left Jamestown rallied a mob, and attacked innocent Occaneechi, Tutelo, and Saponi Indians (Quote from www.virginiaplaces.org/military/bacon.html).” Then after all that Bacon's forces captured Berkeley’s and then Bacon burned the town.
Bacon’s rebellion started because Native tribes were attacking the Virginians and they weren’t happy that the government didn’t take care of the problem. Since the government wouldn’t protect the Virginians well enough they came to Bacon because he did want to take care of this problem, but not for the reason the Virginians thought why he would want to take out the Natives. The confusing thing is that if Bacon’s Rebellion didn’t happen, the attacks would’ve continued and Jamestown would have been destroyed. But the rebellion did happen and the town was still destroyed. The outcome would’ve have been the same either way: While the Virginians believed that Berkeley was wrong and Bacon was the cure for their problems, in reality, the Virginians should have been more aware of the situation before letting a “stranger” take care of their issues. The guy that they believed would help them burned their town. They wanted Bacon to help them so their town wouldn’t be destroyed, but in the end it was anyway. So in a way, the Virginians got what they deserved. Berkeley was doing what he believed was right for his people but they didn’t want to hear it. So I’m making the blame on the Virginians because they put someone else in charge before noticing who they were putting in charge.
1 comment:
- Huh...? Is this the hook you had earlier? It seems like it isn't.
- Why are you putting (They Say template) in there?
- each paragraph needs to start & end with your own words...don't let the source material do your work.
- good, conversational tone...I can 'hear' you in this. But really work on bolstering / feigning interest in the subject.
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