The Virginians' desire for labor throughout early sixteenth century caused many slave rebellions to take place. Many white indentured servants and African slaves were taken in as part of the labor force, both being separated from their own cultures and working to satisfy the economic needs of the upper white class. Slave rebellions were inevitable as many were affected from the strong racism that existed in the colonies during the mid-colonial era. Bacon's rebellion was one of the many rebellions that occurred but stood out due to its strong unity and leadership. Although many unsuccessful uprisings took place in the colonies during the early sixteenth century, Bacon's rebellion was more effective due to the disunity, racism and psychological damage other slave rebellions held.
Unity was one of the most significant factors that were needed for a successful rebellion. Many slave revolts had no sense of unity and leadership as "slaves born in America were more likely to run off alone [trying] to pass as free men'' (33). This shows that it was less likely to be able to successfully run away alone than in groups because there isn't the necessary support one would need if encountered by a white upper class folk. On the other hand, in Bacon's rebellion, it was Bacon himself who "seduced the Vulgar and most ignorant people to believe that their whole hearts and hopes were set now upon Bacon " (39). He convinced many people to follow him and do what he wants them to do. This indicates how Bacon's rebellion actually had that unity required as it was solely organized, planned and led by one man. .
Racism was always a common issue in the colonies, which unfortunately affected the results of slave rebellions. Cooperation between both blacks and whites was never imagined as "even before 1600 literally and symbolically the color black was distasteful " (31). Because blacks and whites did not unite nor worked together, blacks had almost no chance to succeed with a rebellion especially since the whites were the ones who "[got] arms and ammunition " (30).
