Abstract
The Bacon’s Rebellion was one of the historical events in the Jamestown that was more about power according to historians. This essay will discuss the causes, the outcomes and the overall significance of the Rebellion.
The overall significance of the Rebellion came from the poor, regardless of color, come together and fight against the ruling class. That brought fear to the ruling class. Historians state that this Rebellion was not about defining tyranny. It was due to two men being stubborn. This is how the Rebellion started.
Nathaniel Beacon was an Englishmen that have moved to Virginia. He viewed the Indians as out casters. He wanted them gone. The governor of the colony, William Barkley, did not share entirely with him. William Barkley only agreed with the Indians that were enemy. Barkley felt that Indians were friendly should not be a target for that would stir possible further trouble.
The year of 1675 Beacon requested a commission. The authority to lead soldiers is commission. Berkley denied this request. In response, Beacon form his own army. He then got additional support from a friendly Indian tribe named Occacnneechees. He then betray after they help him received glory, and kill all.
With news reach to Jamestown, Beacon declared traitor. Beacon still return to Jamestown with an army of fifty men. That did not prevent his arrest. Berkley did pardon him instead of giving him death (normal sentence for traitors). This treatment enraged Beacon. Beacon felt he was still due commission.
In the same month, Beacon returns to Jamestown. Now with an army of 500 soldiers and that caused Barkley to give Beacon commission by force. Later while Beacon was fighting, he learned that the commission void. He headed back to Jamestown engaged.
The governor and his few supports fled out of Jamestown to another part of Virginia. It then turns to a battle Barkley versus Beacon. Each of the men try to rally support and gather an army of men to fight for them. Each man promised certain things. However, Beacon won. In September of 1676, Beacon and his man set Jamestown on fire.
The rebellion and chaos only ended when British authorities came and took action in the riots. That is the time that Bacon died. Some historians state it still a mystery. Some historians state it was due to dysentery. Regardless, with his death, the Beacon’s Rebellions slow faded out.
Again historians’ state the Beacon’s Rebellion conflict was due to power control and should never went this far. These historians states these two men were not able to rationalize their difference. Again, other historians state this was significant for it show how the poor can rise to the ruling class. The fear drove the ruling class into the racial slavery. Regardless of the debate, this is an important part of the history of Jamestown for it tells a story of this wonderful area.
References
Africans in Americans; Terrible Transformations. Resource Bank. People and Events.
Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part1/1p274.html
Loux, J. ( 1995). Historic Jamestown Part of Colonial National Historical Park
Virginia. Retrieved from http://www.nps.gov/jame/historyculture/bacons-rebellion.htm
