|
BACON'S REBELLION was a revolt of Virginia colonists against the government in 1676. It was headed by Nathaniel Bacon, a prosperous young planter. The colonists were angry with the governor, Sir William Berkeley, because he would do nothing to stop the Indian raids on the western settlements. They also charged the governor with waste and mismanagement of the colony's affairs and said that he gave political favors to his own friends and to those of King Charles II. Some of their anger was against the government of England itself, because the colonists thought the British Navigation Acts were unfair to them.
Bacon was asked by the colonists to lead an expedition against the Indians. After he had done so, instead of sending his followers home he used them to make Governor Berkeley call an Assembly and grant reforms.
Bacon had no sooner returned to his plantation than Governor Berkeley proclaimed him a rebel. When he heard of this, Bacon again called his followers together and marched on the governor's capital at Jamestown. The governor ran away before Bacon's men got there. They burned Jamestown and got ready for a serious fight. But Bacon died soon after that, and his band fell apart. Some were executed by Governor Berkeley.
Governor Berkeley represented those aristocrats who believed that the common man was put on earth only to serve his betters. He is famous for the remark, "I thank God that there are no free schools in Virginia." As a result of Bacon's Rebellion, the colonists got rid of Berkeley, broke the power of the aristocrats, and were soon freed, on orders of the king, from the worst of the abuses they had fought against.
World Book encyclopedia.
Note: Nathaniel Bacon was born in Suffolk, England, in 1647. Died 1676.
|
