They Say; Bacon's Rebellion. (2)

The first rebellion in the New World that has been found to connect or contribute to other rebellions such as the American Revolution was Bacon's Rebellion in 1676. At that point in time there were many factors that contributed to the rebellion. The History and Present State of Virginia, 1705 , written by Robert Beverly states that, "The occason of the Rebellion is not esy to be discovered...Four things may be reckned to have been the main Ingredients towards this intestine Commotion. First, the extreme low Price of tobacco...SEcondly, the Splintering of the Colony into numerous Porprieties...Thirdly, the heavy reestraits and Burdens laid upon their Trave by Act of Parliament in England. Fourthly, the Disturbance given by the Indians. Basically, Beverly is saying that there were many factors that led up to this rebellion. One thing that is differend about his opinion is that many other writers such Thomas Mathews blame nearly the entire rebellion on the Indians while Beverly believes the complete opposite. In The History and Present State of Virginia, 1705 Beverly states that the first cause of the rebellion was the very low price of tobacco which was killing Virginia's economy while England's economy greatly flourished because of the profit they were making. Beverly does mention the Indians as a problem, but he puts them dead last on his list on factors leading into the rebellion.

Elizabeth Bacon dreads the Indians. She blames them as the cause of all her problems. In her letter to her sister in London on June 29th, 1676 she complains that the Indians have ruined her life by stating, "I pray God keep the worst Enemy I have from ever being in such a sad condition as I have been in since my (previous leter to you), occasioned by the troublesome Indians, who have killed one of our Overseers at an ourward plantation which we had...which is a very great loss to us." Elizabeth Bacon is insisting that the Indians are responsible for everything bad and that they are the worst possible things ever. That view can be inferred through the text when she is saing that even someone she hates, really really hates, should never have to deal with the Indians, even they don't deserve that bad of a thing to happen. This view was very similar to that of her husband, Nathaniel Bacon.

In discussions of Bacon's Rebellion, a controversial issue is whether Nathaniel Bacon was justified in his brutal actions against wealthy white settlers and the Native Americans. While some people argue that this rebellion was necessary such as the majority of the colonists in Virginia. According to Howard Zinn and Rebecca Stefoff in A Young Peoples History of the United States, "He [Bacon] probably cared more about fighting Indians than about helping the poor. Still, the common people of Virginia felt that he was on their side." (page 37) Zinn and Stefoff's point is that during the 17th century there were many hardships in the colonies, but there was not really anyone trying to change that. Then came Bacon, he proposed what he wanted to do to the public to help the colonists of Virginia out. Of course the population sided with him, it was the only time they had a leader that was trying to make a difference. However, it may have not been the best choice but in the same respect it could have been the best choice.

To support the viewpoint of Howard Zinn and Michael J. Puglisi states in Whether They be Friends or Foes, "The frontier colonists were apparently dissatisfied with government efforts to protect their new settlements." (page 77) Basically Puglisi is saying almost the same thing as Zinn and Stefoff, they are explaining that the one reason Bacon was followed was because the government was doing nothing about the slaves. The followers might not have even agreed with Bacon, but followed him because he was doing something to help them. Puglisi also writes that, "He [Bacon] claimed that by organizing the unauthorized campaign against the encroaching Indians he was providing a release for the colonists' frustrations..." (page 77)


There really is no way to prove that Bacon was right or wrong in his actions, it is all open to viewpoints of historians and writers. This is because each side has facts supporting them. Another factor in deciding if Bacon was justified in his actions or not is the fact that this happened in 1676, that is nearly 400 years ago. People back then definitely thought differently than we do today. For them, certain things were allowed to be done or said, but now in the present, we may think of those things as barbaric or totally unnecessary. Puglisi, Stefoff and Zinn were only three of the millions of people who have viewpoints on this rebellion and each of their views are unique to them.