Barbados Rebellion

The uprising led Nathaniel Bacon, a wealthy planter in the Virginia colony in 1676 is popularly known as the Bacon's Rebellion. He led the uprising which was directed against the governor, William Berkley for not providing proper military protection in the frontiers where there was constant raids of the Native Americans on the settlers. The planters wanted the Native Americans to be driven out from the frontier areas. This was the first uprising in the American colony which was followed by a rebellion in Maryland .This was also the first rebellion in which both the blacks and the whites were united for a cause. However, when nothing could be done about the problem , Berkeley was recalled to England.. The cause for the rebellion was that Native Americans were involved in acts of stealing and killing the men on the plantation. In retaliation the colonists killed some native and also friendly Susquejannock. The war escalated and the Governor proposed building forts along the frontiers that required additional taxes. When nothing was being done, the settlers went about killing most of the Native Americans without any discrimination. The governor immediately ordered new election to the Burgesses in order to bring about new reforms. One of the reforms limited the powers of the governor and restored suffrage rights to the freemen. After the reforms were made, Nathaniel Bacon by force also demanded a militia against the Native Americans. Bacon on July 30, 1676, issued the Declaration of the People of Virginia which criticized the misrule of the governor .By September 19, 1676, Bacon and his supporters burnt the colonial capital and outnumbered Berkley's army. Berkley had to retreat. Before aid could arrive from England, Bacon died of dysentery on October 26, 1676.Though John Ingram , led the rebellion it was defeated by the strong force of Berkeley. After assuming power, he confiscated lands of the rebels and executed many of them. Later, based on a report by the investigation committee, he was recalled to England and was relieved of the governship of Virginia.