Bacon's Rebellion was a complicating and frustrating experience in Jamestown history. I have found that for the most part this rebellion was a power struggle between two strong-minded individuals: Sir William Berkeley and Nathaniel Bacon. As Governor of Virginia and devotee of Charles the II, Berkeley's duties were to defend the laws and the land of England.
The colonies of Virginia were seeing a series of problems arise. Economic problems from the decline in tobacco prices, a restricted English market and competition from surrounding areas. Not to mention the rising prices caused by mercantilism. The people of Virginia needed someone/something to blame for their misfortunes. Slowly but surely the faith the people had for the Governor started to decline, unjustified attacks on allied Indians began. As Governor it was his responsibility to cease these actions, and to reprimanded the guilty. Bacon and his followers chose to rebel against his wishes, and this in turn caused the people to become divided into which man was correct in his actions. .
Berkeley was a royalist and a favorite to the King, which entitled him to be well respected. Bacon was a distant cousin to Berkeley with a troubled past. His father sent him to Virginia in hopes that it would change him into a better person. Berkeley gave Bacon a land grant and a position in the House of Burgesses to give his cousin a start in the right direction. .
Governor Berkeley was a faithful man, and dedicated to serving his King and honoring him in the most prosperious ways as well as the countrymen. Berkeley also wanted to keep peace with the Indians. This was necessary as the Indians played a critical role in the Fur trading buisness. Bacon rallied opposing Indian fighters and helped them against orders, to trade for arms and ammunition. He proposed to build a chain of fortifications around the frontier unfortunately Bacon didn't find this appeasing.
