In the spring of 1676, Nathaniel Bacon Jr. (1647–1676) led a revolt
against the governor of Virginia and local Indian tribes. Over the course
of months, events unfolded into a significant uprising known as Bacon’s Rebellion. The immediate events that sparked the rebellion concerned a
political disagreement between Governor William Berkeley
(1606–1677) and Bacon, who was a member of Berkeley’s council. It remains uncertain what other factors caused Bacon to take such drastic actions.
Unfolding of events
During the summer of 1675, there were several Indian raids against the
colonists of Virginia. When a group of Virginians took revenge by murdering some Indians, the tribes increased their attacks. Governor
Berkeley refrained from sending troops to counter the attacks and opted
instead to build a chain of forts along the frontier.
A group of angry planters persuaded Bacon to lead a band of volunteers against the Indians, aggressive and friendly alike. Bacon petitioned
the governor for a commission to organize the volunteers. Afraid of a
full-scale war, the governor declined and warned Bacon that further action would define him as a rebel.
Governor Berkeley’s warnings went unheeded, and in May 1676
Bacon set off with a force of three hundred men to the southern frontier.
There they slaughtered and plundered a friendly tribe. Governor
Berkeley declared Bacon a rebel for his actions and demanded that he be
captured.
Bacon was imprisoned temporarily. He confessed his error and received a pardon from the governor. Days later, he slipped back to his
home. He returned to the government in June with five hundred armed
men. He forced Berkeley and the House of Burgesses (Virginia’s legislative body) to grant him a formal commission to fight the Indians.
When Governor Berkeley attempted to raise forces to assert his own
authority, Bacon turned on him. Civil war ensued. Berkeley was driven
to the eastern shore of Virginia, leaving Bacon in charge of the western
border. Bacon proceeded against another friendly tribe as Governor
Berkeley took control of the capital, Jamestown. When Bacon arrived in
Jamestown in September with six hundred men, he forced the governor’s
retreat and burned the town. A little more than a month later, Bacon
suddenly fell ill and died. Governor Berkeley was able to return to confront Bacon’s forces and suppress the rebellion. By February 1677,
Governor Berkeley had reestablished his authority over Virginia.
In January 1677, royal commissioners (justices conducting an investigation on behalf of England) and one thousand English troops arrived
in Virginia to investigate the uprising and to restore order. They arrived
with royal pardons for the rebels, but Governor Berkeley rejected them.
He ordered the execution of twenty-three rebels. The commissioners
viewed the governor’s actions as cruel, and they removed him from his
post. Berkeley returned to England in May to defend himself but died
before seeing the king.
Aggravating factors
While historians argue over the exact causes of Bacon’s Rebellion, a few
factors are considered to be particularly important. Virginia was a rapidly growing, but unstable, society at the time. Competition for political
and social positions increased in the midst of such instability.
Social instability was further complicated by a slow economy.
Overproduction of inferior tobacco and high taxes led to financial difficulties and hardships. Governor Berkeley’s leadership was ineffective,
and many were generally dissatisfied with the government. The known
disagreement between Berkeley and Bacon over the governor’s Indian
policy was probably exaggerated by each of these factors.