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Many issues in American history do not have any definite interpretation, and the actions of certain historical figures are considered controversial. One of such people is Nathaniel Bacon, a plantation owner, who was known for starting the Indian policy conflict with Governor William Berkeley in the colony of Virginia. The historians still argue whether his actions characterize him as a hero or a traitor, as Bacon’s Rebellion can be discussed from different points of view. On the one hand, Bacon fought for the benefit of colonists and helped avoid political harassment and the Indians’ massacre. On the other hand, the rebellion is pictured as a struggle for power between Bacon and Berkeley. In order to decide whether Bacon’s rebellion was a heroic action or treason, the two sides of the problem will be analyzed in detail.
The conflict started in 1676 in the colony of Virginia, mainly because of the tough economic and political situation. A colonist Nathaniel Bacon defied the order of the governor William Berkeley, whose responsibility was to solve problems with the Indians. Bacon marched against the Indians and was followed by colonists from Virginia and neighboring regions. His supporters stated that the massacre of Indians was a severe threat for colonists, which the government ignored.
At the same time, the problem of political harassment also needed to be solved, as colonists were deprived of the representative governments and their liberties, and suffered from significant taxes. It is considered that Berkeley was not interested in fighting against Indians, as he was involved in the beneficial trade with them. Moreover, he gave political jobs to his unqualified supporters, which caused people’s dissatisfaction. Bacon himself was sure that the rebellion would be necessary for the government, as it would draw people’s attention and distract them from political and economic problems. It is also important to emphasize the difference between rebellion and defense, as Bacon’s and his supporters’ priority was to fight for their rights.
Despite the positive aspects of the rebellion, many critics are sure that Bacon can be characterized as a traitor. To begin with, the governor ordered him not to start the conflict; however, he disobeyed, and therefore, was accused of treason. As Berkeley himself noticed, he had been “lenient” to Bacon; however, even after that, the latter disobeyed the governor’s prohibition. In addition to this, historians say that Bacon “did more harm than good,” as the rebellion negatively influenced relationships with Indians. Moreover, the article does not specify if the “traitor’s” intentions were pure, as he might have used the turmoil for his benefit (for example, to promote his agenda against Indians).
Nowadays, historians continue to argue about the real reasons and outcomes of the conflict. However, despite the controversy of the issue, it can be suggested that the arguments in support of the rebellion outweigh the arguments against the action. To start with, as critics claim, “his campaign against the Indians had harmed the government’s relations with the Indians.” At the same time, it should be a priority for the government to establish good relationships with its citizens. Berkeley, on the contrary, was interested in continuing trade relationships with the Indians in the first place, while Bacon’s goal was to suppress the Indians’ harassment. Furthermore, even though Bacon may have acted for his benefit, he used his own resources to fight against the Indians, and he still was mainly led by the overall dissatisfaction of colonists.
The rebellion collapsed shortly after Bacon’s death; however, it had an important long-term effect that presumably resulted in the declaration of independence in 1776. Furthermore, being a hero in terms of history does not necessarily mean obeying the orders. Sometimes, if the government’s policy is proven to be wrong or inefficient, a hero is someone who has enough courage to fight against the authorities. It can also be suggested that the rebellion led to the unification of people because different social classes took part in the action. The conflict even found its supporters in neighbor colonies, which means that it had an essential influence on North America in general.
In conclusion, even though Bacon’s rebellion lost the battle, it led to significant changes in terms of politics and overall attitudes towards the Indian policy situation. The consequences of the rebellion were positive in general: it was proven that Berkeley’s politics caused the dissatisfaction of people, and the governor was finally overthrown. Bacon’s rebellion united different classes of people: colonists and aristocrats fought for their rights together. Even though some of the outcomes of the Bacon’s Rebellion are still debated, it is undoubtful that the act takes an essential place in American history and deserves more profound research.
Bibliography
Kauffman, Jill. “Bacon’s Rebellion: Was Bacon a Hero or a Traitor?” 2008. Issues & Controversies in American History. Infobase Learning. Web.
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