Bacon’s Rebellion (1676) was the first full-scale armed insurrection in Colonial America pitting the landowner Nathaniel Bacon (l. 1647-1676) and his supporters of black and white indentured servants and African slaves against his cousin-by-marriage Governor William Berkeley (l. 1605-1677) and the wealthy plantation owners of East Virginia.
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Definition
Timeline
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1675Tensions in Virginia Colony mount between Governor George Berkeley and landowner Nathanial Bacon and their supporters.
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1676Bacon's Rebellion; Jamestown is burned in revolt over governor's pro-Native American and early settler's rights.
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Oct 1676Nathaniel Bacon, leader of insurrection, dies of dysentery; rebellion fails and Governor Berkeley later executes other leaders.
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1677Governor Berkeley ordered back to England; Sir Herbert Jeffreys becomes governor of Virginia and restores order.
