Advanced Placement United States History

Chesapeake 2nd Generation

Jamestown, Virginia 1675
Sir William Berkeley

• Governor of Virginia since 1640s
• 70 when rebellion started
• Well respected

Nathaniel Bacon

• He was Berkeley’s cousin by marriage
• A troublemaker who was sent to Virginia to mature
• Very intelligent
• Berkeley gave him land grant and seat on the Council
• An individual trader with Indians

Trouble Starts – July 1675

• Doeg Indians invade a plantation
• Colonists retaliate against the wrong Indians
• Berkeley orders investigation to stop violence
• Nathaniel Bacon refused to listen to Berkeley
• People Choose SidesBacon seized friendly Appomattox Indians
• Most Virginians decided whose side they were on (Berkeley’s or Bacon’s)
• The Long Assembly was called for by Berkeley

Long Assembly

• Declared war on all “bad” Indians
• Said people couldn’t trade with Indians individually, only with Berkeley’s permission
• Set up defensive zone around Virginia

Effects of Long Assembly

• Indian wars occurred
• High taxes were paid by citizens to fund military
• Discontent spread through colony
• Berkeley denied Bacon commission in the local militia.
• Individual traders took Bacon’s
• Bacon became the “General” of the local Indian fighters.

The Rebellion

• Bacon drove the Pamunkey Indians from nearby land
• Berkeley declared Bacon a rebel
• Berkeley offered pardon to those who quit the rebellion
• Bacon attacked the Indians on the Roanoke River.
• Bacon was elected to the House of Burgesses by local landowners
• Upon arrival to first meeting Bacon was captured
• Berkeley made Bacon apologize for actions
• No serious punishment, Bacon still allowed to be in House of Burgesses
• Bacon became upset during a debate over Indians
• Bacon left the meeting and returned with his men and surrounded the state house
• Bacon demanded to be made General of the militia against Indians
• Berkeley refused
• Bacon threatened with violence, Berkeley gave in
• Bacon dominated Jamestown
• During this time, Berkeley fled to eastern shore
• Bacon issued the Declaration of the People
• Said Berkeley was corrupt
• Oath of loyalty to Bacon
• Berkeley’s men secretly joined Bacon’s forces.
• Berkeley had enough power to take over Jamestown
• Bacon tried to take back Jamestown, but failed
• Bacon burns down Jamestown (Sep. 19, 1676)

Bacon Dies

• (Oct. 26 1676) Bacon dies of “Bloodie Flux” and “Lousey Disease” (body lice)
• Never found remains of Bacon
• Possible that his soldiers burned his contaminated body

Rebellion Ends

• Berkeley regains power
• The leading soldiers of Bacon were hanged (23 in all)
• Berkeley seized their property
• Berkeley was released as Governor and returned to England
• Berkeley died in England, July 1677

Initial Causes

• Decrease in tobacco prices
• Increase in competition from Maryland and Carolinas
• Increasingly strict English market
• Rise in prices from England or manufactured goods

Effects from Rebellion

• Indians left colonists alone
• Permanent form of slaver began
• Rich landowners didn’t want indentured servants anymore, likely to rebel
• Plantation owners wanted slaves

New laws were eventually made based on Bacon’s ideas

• Right to Bear Arms
• Voting for all freemen
• More representation in taxation

posted by Jeffrey @ Friday, November 11, 2005