When we think about the colonists living in America, we can see that they moved away from Europe to gain their own independence. Although the colonists were proud to be British, but saw America as an opportunity land. They wanted to form a self government. The colonists wanted to run things their own way for a change. They believed that if they govern themselves, there was a huge possibility of a brighter future for the colonists. Becoming independent was their first step to success.
As for the British living in Europe, they believed that the colonists were no longer British, but American. Even though they did not see the colonists as the same, they still protected the colonists from the French and traded goods with them. The King and Parliament took great care of the colonists living in America. As time passed the colonists self government fell apart. With the colonists taking supplies from Britain, the parliament realized that shipping goods has become too expensive. I believe that the colonists became too expensive to supply for as time passed by. So, Parliament developed the Stamp Act. The colonists were being taxed on almost everything. Parliament wanted to take control and govern the colonists to become an empire. Colonists of course were upset and “rebelled” towards the Stamp Act. Colonial elites believed that the Stamp Act was an ill-judged measure. From the chaos the colonists stirred up, the English repealed the Stamp Act. From what I have heard, "pride is political liberty".
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Text Analysis Paragraphs
Letter form the New York Committee of Fifty-One to the Boston Committee of Correspondence
This primary document is about American Freedom. The New York Committee sent a letter to the Boston Committee of Correspondence stating that the sister colony is suffering in defence of the rights of America. They are interested in making an effort to reach freedom throughout the sister colonies. They would like to reach a goal of all sister colonies having an act of becoming equal. Having freedom is the most important virtue to hold.
Circular Letter of the Boston Committee of Correspondence:
This primary document is basically stating how the town of Boston is being treated. The Parliament has taken upon representation of the government to look past the prejudice views towards the Natives. One situation that was brought up was the Boston Tea Act. When the Natives threw tea into the Harbor. This made the Americans rethink about the American trade.
Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress:
This primary document is about the rights of the Americans. The British parliament is taking advantage by claiming power of right, and bind the people of America by statues in all cases. To resolve this situation, the English colonies in North-America has created laws of nature to resolve the rights to the people.
This primary document is about American Freedom. The New York Committee sent a letter to the Boston Committee of Correspondence stating that the sister colony is suffering in defence of the rights of America. They are interested in making an effort to reach freedom throughout the sister colonies. They would like to reach a goal of all sister colonies having an act of becoming equal. Having freedom is the most important virtue to hold.
Circular Letter of the Boston Committee of Correspondence:
This primary document is basically stating how the town of Boston is being treated. The Parliament has taken upon representation of the government to look past the prejudice views towards the Natives. One situation that was brought up was the Boston Tea Act. When the Natives threw tea into the Harbor. This made the Americans rethink about the American trade.
Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress:
This primary document is about the rights of the Americans. The British parliament is taking advantage by claiming power of right, and bind the people of America by statues in all cases. To resolve this situation, the English colonies in North-America has created laws of nature to resolve the rights to the people.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Text Analysis #2
Letter from the New York Committee of Fifty-One to the Boston Committee of Correspondence:May 23, 1774
Who is writing:
The New York Committer of Fifty-One is the writer of this primary document.
Who is the audience:
The audience is meant for the Boston Committee of Correspondence.
Who do the writers represent:
The writer represents the sister colonies and for their committees.
What is being said/argued/requested:
The argument for this primary document is that the sister colony is suffering in defense of the rights of America and that they consider the injuries as a common cause and something has to be done. They also request that they shall continue to act with a firm and becoming regard to American Freedom.
What proof and/or justification is being used to legitimize the request:
This primary document is legitimate because this document is formatted in first person, and this document is a letter from the New York Committee of Fifty-One to the Boston Committee of Correspondence.
Who is writing:
The New York Committer of Fifty-One is the writer of this primary document.
Who is the audience:
The audience is meant for the Boston Committee of Correspondence.
Who do the writers represent:
The writer represents the sister colonies and for their committees.
What is being said/argued/requested:
The argument for this primary document is that the sister colony is suffering in defense of the rights of America and that they consider the injuries as a common cause and something has to be done. They also request that they shall continue to act with a firm and becoming regard to American Freedom.
What proof and/or justification is being used to legitimize the request:
This primary document is legitimate because this document is formatted in first person, and this document is a letter from the New York Committee of Fifty-One to the Boston Committee of Correspondence.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Essay #1 Reflection
Based on my first essay, I realized that writing has levels of difficulties. In school, I have always learned to a format of a 5-Paragraph essay. What really made my writing difficult was to adapt to the They Say/I Say format. My writing process was a total different experience. I did not start on the introduction first but on my body paragraph which was something different from what I would normally do. This new format has taught me so much, and I feel like i experienced a great learning experience. Another tip that I learned is, the writing process could be as free as making a conversation with someone. Writing does not always need to be fact based with hard evidence. My first essay was writing about history. When i wrote about Bacon's Rebellion, I slowly realized that I did not need to only write down facts. There are more ways to bring out the Main Idea about the historical happenings. History can be written with your feelings and ideas towards the situation. Having quotes wont make your paper, your ideas and inputs does. Although history does need to be fact based, you could always add your own expressions into your writing. Overall, this paper on Bacon's Rebellion has taught me so much about formatting in general. There is no wrong or right way about writing, as long as you believe in your work, you are going on the right path.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Text Analysis Virginia Resolves on the Stamp Act 30 May 1765
Text Analysis Virginia Resolves on the Stamp Act 30 May 1765
Who is writing?
The author of Virginia resolves on the Stamp Act, 1765 is Patrick Henry
Who is the audience?
The audience is for the colonists and for the House of Burgesses of Virginia.
Who do the writers represent?
The writer represents what actions in the House of Burgesses make on the issue about no taxation without representation. The writer also represents the colony.
What is being said, argued, and/or requested?
In this primary document, the main issue that is being argued is how far the general assembly of the colony has power to enact laws for laying taxes and imposing duties payable to the pope.
How is it being said, argued, and/or requested?
This issue is being argued because the writer has the House of Burgesses of Virginia’s resolutions for “No taxation without representation”. He also has what King James granted.
What proof and/or justification is being used to legitimize the request?
The proof and justification is being used to legitimize the request from the House of Burgesses of Virginia. They make the resolutions and makes a published widely in newspapers, with additional resolution and also makes some variations from publications to publication.
Who is writing?
The author of Virginia resolves on the Stamp Act, 1765 is Patrick Henry
Who is the audience?
The audience is for the colonists and for the House of Burgesses of Virginia.
Who do the writers represent?
The writer represents what actions in the House of Burgesses make on the issue about no taxation without representation. The writer also represents the colony.
What is being said, argued, and/or requested?
In this primary document, the main issue that is being argued is how far the general assembly of the colony has power to enact laws for laying taxes and imposing duties payable to the pope.
How is it being said, argued, and/or requested?
This issue is being argued because the writer has the House of Burgesses of Virginia’s resolutions for “No taxation without representation”. He also has what King James granted.
What proof and/or justification is being used to legitimize the request?
The proof and justification is being used to legitimize the request from the House of Burgesses of Virginia. They make the resolutions and makes a published widely in newspapers, with additional resolution and also makes some variations from publications to publication.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Bacon's Rebellion Final
In the 1600s, many people had different views towards people of different skin. Bacon’s Rebellion is a perfect example of prejudice beliefs towards the Natives. I believe that the fuse on Bacon’s Rebellion sparked from bias feelings towards the Natives. From Nathaniel Bacon Jr.’s influential actions, others began to join in on the rebellion. Bacon’s actions towards the Natives were wrong. The actions made was the first step towards the downfall of the colony. Nathaniel Bacon viewed the Natives as the enemies which brought upon the rebellion.
Bacon’s Rebellion was a rebellion that created conflict between the Natives and the colonists in Virginia. This rebellion was known as “an uprising of angry, poor colonists against [. . .] the Indians (Zinn). Nathaniel Bacon Jr. was looked upon by the colonists as a strong leader that could help the poor colonists with their financial issues. However, Bacon saw the Natives as the common enemy and wanted all Natives banned from Virginia. Bacon’s malevolent feelings toward the Natives pushed himself to form a group of people living in the colony to rebel towards the Natives. Bacon decided to ban the Natives from the colony. Bacon took advantage of the Natives and the colonists in order to get his way. Taking advantage of innocent vulnerable human beings is wrong and it gives other people the wrong message. He explained to the colonists that if all of the Natives were out of the colonial territory, that all will live peacefully and all issues will be resolved. Bacon “found the Indians in all places unwilling to [leave and] […], they [. . .] were forced to go [quiet] […] southward”(Document#21). With the Natives sent away, Bacon felt like he dominated them and gained more power over the colonists. He felt as if he has gained so much power that slowly he could change every single Virginian Colonists to go with his plan and have loyal followers behind him. The main reason for Bacon sending the Natives away is because he wanted to take all of their land and use it for himself. Bacon is a selfish man that believed he could gained power over the Natives and take control over them . From Bacon’s actions, more damage was done than resolved.
Bacon started to build a title for himself and he started to believe that he could have his way and make the colonists believe his words. For three months, Bacon was at war with the Natives. However, Bacon saw how unpleased his followers became with Bacon targeting the Natives and not the rich so, Bacon told his followers a negotiation. He promised the poor colonists that they will as well rebel towards the rich. The colonists did not believe that the natives had anything to do with the economy’s downfall. Natives lived with a struggle and worked hard to be where they were standing. The Colonists believed that the rich was much more privileged and did not have to live hard during the down fall of the economy. Bacon “probably cared more about fighting Indians than about helping the poor”(Zinn). “Bacon’s extra-legal army bent on revenge [by] attack[ing] the peaceful [innocent] Indian Village” (Puglisi). Bacon and his followers burned down houses, and attacked innocent Natives that were living in the colony. Bacon’s manipulative words persuaded his followers into believing that the Natives did in deed take part of the downfall for the economy. His twisted words made the colonists believe that they were suffering because of the Native’s contributions towards the community. With Bacon’s manipulative, malevolent behaviors, Governor William Berkeley took immediate attention to Bacon and took matters into his own hands.
Governor Berkeley felt differently towards the Natives. He believed that the colonists should leave the Natives alone and not create a war between the colonists and the Natives. However, Bacon believed “I am sure if the Indians were not cowards, they might have destroyed all the upper plantations and killed all the people upon them”(Document #9). With Bacon pursuing in the rebellion, “the rebellion convulsed Chesapeake politics and society, leaving in its wake death, destruction, and a legacy of hostility between the great planters and their poorer neighbors”(The American Promise, p.91). Bacon’s actions only brought pain and sufferings into the colony. What Bacon desired to look at was the fact that if he does not take action, the Natives would make a disaster in the colony. From Bacon’s actions, it provokes the Natives to get back at the colony for revenge . But, when Bacon and his followers finally “gained the upper hand [by] capturing and murdering the old chief”(The American Promise, p.91), total chaos struck the colony. Governor Berkeley was outraged and a treaty was made. The madness of the fighting had to be put to a stop. The treaty states, “that the government tried to maintain for the next thirty years [and] the Indians relinquished all claims to land already settle by the English” (The American Promise, p.91). However, the poor colonists that were associated with Bacon did not keep to the treaty. More and more servants, poor colonists, and freed servants kept surfacing, and settled on the Native’s territory which then the treaty broke. Throughout the 1660s and 1670s, the Natives and colonists stayed at war against each other. Fighting back was the only way for the Natives to make their statement. They were not going anywhere and Bacon would have to deal with the fact. However, Bacon on the other hand, told the government, “[that] the protected and Darling Indians Design[ed] not only to ruine and extirpate all Indians in Generall but all Manner of Trade and Commerce with them”(The American Promise, p.91). Extirpating the Natives was a perfect excuse to keep the Natives away for good.
Berkeley “pronounced Bacon a[s] a rebel, [and] threatened to punish him for treason”(Them American Promise, p.91) but, he could trick Bacon into a new election for the House of Burgesses. What Berkeley did not know is that Bacon’s name has gained a title and became very popular within the colony. Bacon has also gained many loyal followers that shall always be by Bacon’s side. The elections blew up at Berkeley and “was replaced by local leaders including Bacon”(92). Bacon has several followers and now he also has the power of the legislation. His malevolent feelings towards the Natives started to surface with the new laws made within the colony. Since Bacon has the power, he believed that he might as well use it to get what he wants. Having Bacon in the House of Burgesses can cause much chaos in the colony. With all his power, “Bacon’s forces fought the Indians sacked the grandees’ plantations, and attacked Jamestown”(The American Promise, p.92). Bacon’s actions were meaningless, and destructive. Bacons actions only led to more problems. None of his actions were made to help change the living environment for the poor colonists. The only reason why the rebellion has been going on for so long is because Bacon was not satisfied until every Native in Virginia were demolished. In the middle of the rebellion, Bacon unexpectedly died. “ The rebellion didn’t last long after that”(Zinn). The colonists did not know what to do or where to go after Bacon’s death. Since they no longer had Bacons manipulative input on situations, the colonists just stopped rebelling. Now that Bacon is gone, the colonists slowly realized that fighting with the Natives was pointless. However, the colonists still believed that the Natives needed to live away from the colony so that everyone could live safe. "The Indians had their land seized by white frontiersmen”(Zinn). They still treated the Natives as a problem. Even after Bacon’s death, the colonist’s feelings towards the Natives were not at great terms. Bacon has truly impacted the views and lives of the colonists.
Like Bacon’s Rebellion, if you judge by the different characteristics in a person’s appearance, you will walk down the road of regret and shame. If you look at the today, there are children and even adults who has bias views towards others. From those views, many people of other races have been killed or beat. As a result, Bacon’s Rebellion was a clear example of prejudice and bias views that were happening during the 1600s. Bacon’s Rebellion clearly impacted history for generations. The relationship between the Natives and Colonists will always be known as a never ending fight. Nathaniel Bacon has truly impacted the views of the colonists and changed the colonization process for the Natives in Virginia. Nathaniel Bacon’s actions will always be remembered as strong bias beliefs targeted only towards Natives.
Bacon’s Rebellion was a rebellion that created conflict between the Natives and the colonists in Virginia. This rebellion was known as “an uprising of angry, poor colonists against [. . .] the Indians (Zinn). Nathaniel Bacon Jr. was looked upon by the colonists as a strong leader that could help the poor colonists with their financial issues. However, Bacon saw the Natives as the common enemy and wanted all Natives banned from Virginia. Bacon’s malevolent feelings toward the Natives pushed himself to form a group of people living in the colony to rebel towards the Natives. Bacon decided to ban the Natives from the colony. Bacon took advantage of the Natives and the colonists in order to get his way. Taking advantage of innocent vulnerable human beings is wrong and it gives other people the wrong message. He explained to the colonists that if all of the Natives were out of the colonial territory, that all will live peacefully and all issues will be resolved. Bacon “found the Indians in all places unwilling to [leave and] […], they [. . .] were forced to go [quiet] […] southward”(Document#21). With the Natives sent away, Bacon felt like he dominated them and gained more power over the colonists. He felt as if he has gained so much power that slowly he could change every single Virginian Colonists to go with his plan and have loyal followers behind him. The main reason for Bacon sending the Natives away is because he wanted to take all of their land and use it for himself. Bacon is a selfish man that believed he could gained power over the Natives and take control over them . From Bacon’s actions, more damage was done than resolved.
Bacon started to build a title for himself and he started to believe that he could have his way and make the colonists believe his words. For three months, Bacon was at war with the Natives. However, Bacon saw how unpleased his followers became with Bacon targeting the Natives and not the rich so, Bacon told his followers a negotiation. He promised the poor colonists that they will as well rebel towards the rich. The colonists did not believe that the natives had anything to do with the economy’s downfall. Natives lived with a struggle and worked hard to be where they were standing. The Colonists believed that the rich was much more privileged and did not have to live hard during the down fall of the economy. Bacon “probably cared more about fighting Indians than about helping the poor”(Zinn). “Bacon’s extra-legal army bent on revenge [by] attack[ing] the peaceful [innocent] Indian Village” (Puglisi). Bacon and his followers burned down houses, and attacked innocent Natives that were living in the colony. Bacon’s manipulative words persuaded his followers into believing that the Natives did in deed take part of the downfall for the economy. His twisted words made the colonists believe that they were suffering because of the Native’s contributions towards the community. With Bacon’s manipulative, malevolent behaviors, Governor William Berkeley took immediate attention to Bacon and took matters into his own hands.
Governor Berkeley felt differently towards the Natives. He believed that the colonists should leave the Natives alone and not create a war between the colonists and the Natives. However, Bacon believed “I am sure if the Indians were not cowards, they might have destroyed all the upper plantations and killed all the people upon them”(Document #9). With Bacon pursuing in the rebellion, “the rebellion convulsed Chesapeake politics and society, leaving in its wake death, destruction, and a legacy of hostility between the great planters and their poorer neighbors”(The American Promise, p.91). Bacon’s actions only brought pain and sufferings into the colony. What Bacon desired to look at was the fact that if he does not take action, the Natives would make a disaster in the colony. From Bacon’s actions, it provokes the Natives to get back at the colony for revenge . But, when Bacon and his followers finally “gained the upper hand [by] capturing and murdering the old chief”(The American Promise, p.91), total chaos struck the colony. Governor Berkeley was outraged and a treaty was made. The madness of the fighting had to be put to a stop. The treaty states, “that the government tried to maintain for the next thirty years [and] the Indians relinquished all claims to land already settle by the English” (The American Promise, p.91). However, the poor colonists that were associated with Bacon did not keep to the treaty. More and more servants, poor colonists, and freed servants kept surfacing, and settled on the Native’s territory which then the treaty broke. Throughout the 1660s and 1670s, the Natives and colonists stayed at war against each other. Fighting back was the only way for the Natives to make their statement. They were not going anywhere and Bacon would have to deal with the fact. However, Bacon on the other hand, told the government, “[that] the protected and Darling Indians Design[ed] not only to ruine and extirpate all Indians in Generall but all Manner of Trade and Commerce with them”(The American Promise, p.91). Extirpating the Natives was a perfect excuse to keep the Natives away for good.
Berkeley “pronounced Bacon a[s] a rebel, [and] threatened to punish him for treason”(Them American Promise, p.91) but, he could trick Bacon into a new election for the House of Burgesses. What Berkeley did not know is that Bacon’s name has gained a title and became very popular within the colony. Bacon has also gained many loyal followers that shall always be by Bacon’s side. The elections blew up at Berkeley and “was replaced by local leaders including Bacon”(92). Bacon has several followers and now he also has the power of the legislation. His malevolent feelings towards the Natives started to surface with the new laws made within the colony. Since Bacon has the power, he believed that he might as well use it to get what he wants. Having Bacon in the House of Burgesses can cause much chaos in the colony. With all his power, “Bacon’s forces fought the Indians sacked the grandees’ plantations, and attacked Jamestown”(The American Promise, p.92). Bacon’s actions were meaningless, and destructive. Bacons actions only led to more problems. None of his actions were made to help change the living environment for the poor colonists. The only reason why the rebellion has been going on for so long is because Bacon was not satisfied until every Native in Virginia were demolished. In the middle of the rebellion, Bacon unexpectedly died. “ The rebellion didn’t last long after that”(Zinn). The colonists did not know what to do or where to go after Bacon’s death. Since they no longer had Bacons manipulative input on situations, the colonists just stopped rebelling. Now that Bacon is gone, the colonists slowly realized that fighting with the Natives was pointless. However, the colonists still believed that the Natives needed to live away from the colony so that everyone could live safe. "The Indians had their land seized by white frontiersmen”(Zinn). They still treated the Natives as a problem. Even after Bacon’s death, the colonist’s feelings towards the Natives were not at great terms. Bacon has truly impacted the views and lives of the colonists.
Like Bacon’s Rebellion, if you judge by the different characteristics in a person’s appearance, you will walk down the road of regret and shame. If you look at the today, there are children and even adults who has bias views towards others. From those views, many people of other races have been killed or beat. As a result, Bacon’s Rebellion was a clear example of prejudice and bias views that were happening during the 1600s. Bacon’s Rebellion clearly impacted history for generations. The relationship between the Natives and Colonists will always be known as a never ending fight. Nathaniel Bacon has truly impacted the views of the colonists and changed the colonization process for the Natives in Virginia. Nathaniel Bacon’s actions will always be remembered as strong bias beliefs targeted only towards Natives.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Rough Draft #3
In the 1600s, many people had different views towards different people of different skin. During Bacon’s Rebellion is a perfect example of prejudice beliefs towards the Natives. Multiple colonists believed that the Natives were at fault for the cause of the economy. Others believed that the Natives had no part of the down fall of the economy and that they lived peacefully without any problems. However, Nathaniel Bacon viewed the Natives as the enemies which brought upon the rebellion.
Bacon’s Rebellion was a rebellion that created conflict between the Natives and the colonists in Virginia. This rebellion was known as “an uprising of angry, poor colonists against [. . .] the Indians (Zinn). Nathaniel Bacon Jr. was looked upon by the colonists as a strong leader that could help the poor colonists with their financial issues. However, Bacon saw the Natives as the common enemy and wanted all Natives banned from Virginia. Bacon’s malevolent feelings toward the Natives pushed himself to form a group of people living in the colony to rebel towards the Natives. With Bacon’s name gaining power, he decided to ban the Natives from the colony. Bacon took advantage of the Natives and the colonists in order to get his way. He explained to the colonists that if all of the Natives were out of the colonial territory, that all will live peacefully and all issues will be resolved. Bacon “found the Indians in all places unwilling to [leave and] […], they [. . .] were forced to go [quiet] […] southward”(Document#21). With the Natives sent away, Bacon felt like he dominated them and gained more power over the colonists. He felt as if he has gained so much power that slowly he could change every single Virginian Colonists to go with his plan and have loyal followers behind him. The main reason for Bacon sending the Natives away is because he wanted to take all of their land and use it for himself. Clearly, Bacon believed that he gained power over the Natives. From Bacon’s actions, more damage was done to the colony than resolved.
With power increasing on Bacon’s name, he believed that he could have his way and make the colonists believe his words. For three months, Bacon was at war with the Natives. However, Bacon saw how unpleased his followers became with Bacon targeting the Natives and not the rich so, Bacon told his followers a negotiation. He promised the poor colonists that they will as well rebel towards the rich. The colonists did not believe that the natives had anything to do with the economy’s downfall. The Colonists believed that the rich was much more privileged and did not have to live hard during the down fall of the economy. Bacon “probably cared more about fighting Indians than about helping the poor”(Zinn). “Bacon’s extra-legal army bent on revenge [by] attack[ing] the peaceful [innocent] Indian Village” (Puglisi). Bacon and his followers burned down houses, and attacked innocent Natives that were living in the colony. Bacon’s manipulative words persuaded his followers into believing that the Natives did in deed take part of the downfall for the economy and the reason why the less privileged colonists were living so hard and poor. With Bacon’s manipulative, malevolent behaviors, Governor William Berkeley took immediate attention to Bacon and took matters into his own hands.
Governor Berkeley felt differently towards the Natives. He believed that the colonists should leave the Natives alone and not create a war between the colonists and the Natives. However, Bacon believed “I am sure if the Indians were not cowards, they might have destroyed all the upper plantations and killed all the people upon them”(Document #9). With Bacon pursuing in the rebellion, “the rebellion convulsed Chesapeake politics and society, leaving in its wake death, destruction, and a legacy of hostility between the great planters and their poorer neighbors”(The American Promise, p.91). It is obvious that Bacon’s actions only brings pain and sufferings into the colony. But, when Bacon and his followers finally “gained the upper hand [by] capturing and murdering the old chief”(The American Promise, p.91), total chaos struck the colony. Governor Berkeley was outraged and a treaty was made. The treaty states, “that the government tried to maintain for the next thirty years [and] the Indians relinquished all claims to land already settle by the English” (The American Promise, p.91). However, the poor colonists that were associated with Bacon did not keep to the treaty. More and more servants, poor colonists, and freed servants kept surfacing, and settled on the Native’s territory which then the treaty broke. Throughout the 1660s and 1670s, the Natives and colonists stayed at war against each other. Bacon on the other hand, told the government, “[that] the protected and Darling Indians Design[ed] not only to ruine and extirpate all Indians in Generall but all Manner of Trade and Commerce with them”(The American Promise, p.91). Extirpating the Natives was a perfect excuse to keep the Natives away for good.
Berkeley “pronounced Bacon a[s] a rebel, [and] threatened to punish him for treason”(Them American Promise, p.91) but, he could trick Bacon into a new election for the House of Burgesses. What Berkeley did not know is that Bacon’s name has gained a title and became very popular within the colony. Bacon has also gained many loyal followers that shall always be by Bacon’s side. The elections blew up at Berkeley and “was replaced by local leaders including Bacon”(92). With Bacon, who has several followers, he now also has the power of the legislation. His malevolent feelings towards the Natives started to form new laws within the colony. Since Bacon has the power, he thought he might as well use it to get what he wants. With all his power, “Bacon’s forces fought the Indians sacked the grandees’ plantations, and attacked Jamestown”(The American Promise, p.92). Bacon’s actions were meaningless, and destructive. Bacons actions only led to more problems. None of his actions were made to help change the living environment for the poor colonists. The only reason why the rebellion has been going on for so long is because Bacon was not satisfied until every Native in Virginia were demolished. In the middle of the rebellion, Bacon unexpectedly died. “ The rebellion didn’t last long after that”(Zinn). The colonists did not know what to do or where to go after Bacon’s death. Since they no longer had Bacons input on situations with in the colony, the colonists just stopped rebelling. However, the colonists still believed that the Natives needed to live away from the colony. “The Indians had their land seized by white frontiersmen”(Zinn). They still treated the Natives as a problem. Even after Bacon’s death, the colonist’s feelings towards the Natives was not at great terms. We can clearly see and state that Bacon has truly impacted the views of the colonists.
As a result, Bacon’s Rebellion was a clear example of prejudice and bias views that were happening during the 1600s. Bacon’s Rebellion clearly impacted history for generations. The relationship between the Natives and Colonists will always be known as a never ending fight. Nathaniel Bacon has truly impacted the views of the colonists and changed the colonization process for the Natives in Virginia. Nathaniel Bacon’s actions will always be remembered as strong bias beliefs targeted only towards Natives.
Bacon’s Rebellion was a rebellion that created conflict between the Natives and the colonists in Virginia. This rebellion was known as “an uprising of angry, poor colonists against [. . .] the Indians (Zinn). Nathaniel Bacon Jr. was looked upon by the colonists as a strong leader that could help the poor colonists with their financial issues. However, Bacon saw the Natives as the common enemy and wanted all Natives banned from Virginia. Bacon’s malevolent feelings toward the Natives pushed himself to form a group of people living in the colony to rebel towards the Natives. With Bacon’s name gaining power, he decided to ban the Natives from the colony. Bacon took advantage of the Natives and the colonists in order to get his way. He explained to the colonists that if all of the Natives were out of the colonial territory, that all will live peacefully and all issues will be resolved. Bacon “found the Indians in all places unwilling to [leave and] […], they [. . .] were forced to go [quiet] […] southward”(Document#21). With the Natives sent away, Bacon felt like he dominated them and gained more power over the colonists. He felt as if he has gained so much power that slowly he could change every single Virginian Colonists to go with his plan and have loyal followers behind him. The main reason for Bacon sending the Natives away is because he wanted to take all of their land and use it for himself. Clearly, Bacon believed that he gained power over the Natives. From Bacon’s actions, more damage was done to the colony than resolved.
With power increasing on Bacon’s name, he believed that he could have his way and make the colonists believe his words. For three months, Bacon was at war with the Natives. However, Bacon saw how unpleased his followers became with Bacon targeting the Natives and not the rich so, Bacon told his followers a negotiation. He promised the poor colonists that they will as well rebel towards the rich. The colonists did not believe that the natives had anything to do with the economy’s downfall. The Colonists believed that the rich was much more privileged and did not have to live hard during the down fall of the economy. Bacon “probably cared more about fighting Indians than about helping the poor”(Zinn). “Bacon’s extra-legal army bent on revenge [by] attack[ing] the peaceful [innocent] Indian Village” (Puglisi). Bacon and his followers burned down houses, and attacked innocent Natives that were living in the colony. Bacon’s manipulative words persuaded his followers into believing that the Natives did in deed take part of the downfall for the economy and the reason why the less privileged colonists were living so hard and poor. With Bacon’s manipulative, malevolent behaviors, Governor William Berkeley took immediate attention to Bacon and took matters into his own hands.
Governor Berkeley felt differently towards the Natives. He believed that the colonists should leave the Natives alone and not create a war between the colonists and the Natives. However, Bacon believed “I am sure if the Indians were not cowards, they might have destroyed all the upper plantations and killed all the people upon them”(Document #9). With Bacon pursuing in the rebellion, “the rebellion convulsed Chesapeake politics and society, leaving in its wake death, destruction, and a legacy of hostility between the great planters and their poorer neighbors”(The American Promise, p.91). It is obvious that Bacon’s actions only brings pain and sufferings into the colony. But, when Bacon and his followers finally “gained the upper hand [by] capturing and murdering the old chief”(The American Promise, p.91), total chaos struck the colony. Governor Berkeley was outraged and a treaty was made. The treaty states, “that the government tried to maintain for the next thirty years [and] the Indians relinquished all claims to land already settle by the English” (The American Promise, p.91). However, the poor colonists that were associated with Bacon did not keep to the treaty. More and more servants, poor colonists, and freed servants kept surfacing, and settled on the Native’s territory which then the treaty broke. Throughout the 1660s and 1670s, the Natives and colonists stayed at war against each other. Bacon on the other hand, told the government, “[that] the protected and Darling Indians Design[ed] not only to ruine and extirpate all Indians in Generall but all Manner of Trade and Commerce with them”(The American Promise, p.91). Extirpating the Natives was a perfect excuse to keep the Natives away for good.
Berkeley “pronounced Bacon a[s] a rebel, [and] threatened to punish him for treason”(Them American Promise, p.91) but, he could trick Bacon into a new election for the House of Burgesses. What Berkeley did not know is that Bacon’s name has gained a title and became very popular within the colony. Bacon has also gained many loyal followers that shall always be by Bacon’s side. The elections blew up at Berkeley and “was replaced by local leaders including Bacon”(92). With Bacon, who has several followers, he now also has the power of the legislation. His malevolent feelings towards the Natives started to form new laws within the colony. Since Bacon has the power, he thought he might as well use it to get what he wants. With all his power, “Bacon’s forces fought the Indians sacked the grandees’ plantations, and attacked Jamestown”(The American Promise, p.92). Bacon’s actions were meaningless, and destructive. Bacons actions only led to more problems. None of his actions were made to help change the living environment for the poor colonists. The only reason why the rebellion has been going on for so long is because Bacon was not satisfied until every Native in Virginia were demolished. In the middle of the rebellion, Bacon unexpectedly died. “ The rebellion didn’t last long after that”(Zinn). The colonists did not know what to do or where to go after Bacon’s death. Since they no longer had Bacons input on situations with in the colony, the colonists just stopped rebelling. However, the colonists still believed that the Natives needed to live away from the colony. “The Indians had their land seized by white frontiersmen”(Zinn). They still treated the Natives as a problem. Even after Bacon’s death, the colonist’s feelings towards the Natives was not at great terms. We can clearly see and state that Bacon has truly impacted the views of the colonists.
As a result, Bacon’s Rebellion was a clear example of prejudice and bias views that were happening during the 1600s. Bacon’s Rebellion clearly impacted history for generations. The relationship between the Natives and Colonists will always be known as a never ending fight. Nathaniel Bacon has truly impacted the views of the colonists and changed the colonization process for the Natives in Virginia. Nathaniel Bacon’s actions will always be remembered as strong bias beliefs targeted only towards Natives.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
