Bacon's Rebellion In Colonial America

When thinking of colonial America we think of slave plantations in the south and “freedom” in the north. However, in early 17th century this was not the case at all. Black people who were brought over from Africa were sold into terms of indentured servitude much like poor whites wanting to come over from England. As this century continued to progress the ideas of these American colonist began to change. There is not one certain, pinpoint able reason why these colonists decided to take the road that would lead to problems for future Americans. In fact it is a whole series of factors that would lead these colonists to pursue the system of slavery in colonies such as Virginia. The mindset of American colonist was one thing that began to change the way colonist viewed Africans. The new mind set began to take the

Bacon’s Rebellion is perhaps the leading rebellion that brought about this idea. Bacon’s Rebellion was aimed at Governor Berkeley and the unjust rules set by him, mainly about his Native American policies. Nash says that Berkeley would not allow these people just coming out of indentured servitude the opportunity to take land that was given to the natives. Besides wanting the Indians land the newly freed colonists were unhappy about the declining tobacco prices and the heavier taxes being laid on colonists. To protect the people of the colonies it seemed like it would be a good idea to switch the labor source from white colonists who wanted freedom to blacks who never expected to become free again after their capture in Africa. Especially since most could not yet even speak the English language how could they ever make a living on their own in America. With this hope gone from their minds and not having to worry about providing for themselves blacks would see this as a good move on their