Hero or Traitor? Bacon's Rebellion
The website for this assignment is located at
http://web.wm.edu/hsi/cases/bacon/bacon_student.html
Becoming a Detective
The American Revolution in 1776 was not the first time that the British colonists confronted uprising in the “new world.”
In 1675, colonists in New England struggled over land in King Philip's War. Almost simultaneously, colonists in Virginia
faced an even more complicated uprising. Nathaniel Bacon’s rebellion was a struggle between immigrants, wealthy land
owners, and Native Americans for control over sections of land in the Virginia Colony. Low tobacco prices and high land
prices made the dream of obtaining plantations in the Chesapeake next to impossible. Did Native Americans hold too
much land in the treaty of 1646? Many immigrants felt they did and headrights could not provide them with their desired
land. Each of these groups of people had conflicts and distrust between themselves. The class system played an important
role within this event. Twenty-nine year old Nathaniel Bacon became the leader for the landless immigrants even though
he himself came from a different class. In this case, you will hear “eyewitness” testimony and come to your own
conclusions about Bacon. Was Nathaniel Bacon a colonial “Robin Hood” and someone to admire or was he a scoundrel
and traitor?
Investigating the Evidence - Videos
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Introduction
New Beginning
1646 Treaty
Indian Troubles
New Elections
Reclaiming Position
Confrontation Over the Commission
Difficult Times
Capturing Women as Tactics of War
Jamestown Burns
Bacon's Death
12. The Aftermath
Searching for Clues
As you watch the clips of the events, please list the pros and cons for both Nathaniel Bacon and Governor William
Berkeley on the accompanying chart. When you have finished you will choose which character you support and tell why.
After watching each of the video clips, respond to the discussion questions. Then review the evidence to develop your
own informed opinion. Consider whether each of the following facts are a plus (+) or minus (-) in Bacon’s favor. Place the
plus or minus sign beside each statement in the chart.
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Cracking the Case
Based on your analysis of the documents and citing evidence from the video clips to support your answer, please write a
2-3 paragraph essay answering the following questions: So what happened that caused Nathaniel Bacon to burn down
Jamestown statehouse and church? Was Nathaniel Bacon a hero or a traitor in your words? Within your analysis, please
indicate whether you were satisfied with the evidence and list any additional questions that have been left unanswered
through your investigation. Tell honestly how you feel about Nathaniel Bacon and his actions. You can add your values
to your comments (i.e. - If you feel violence is wrong or you cheer for someone who challenges authority) Please add
these thoughts to your summary). (You may complete on a separate sheet of paper)
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