Persons of Mean
and Vile Condition
Chapter 3, Howard Zinn
Evee Megan Bangayan
CHS 245-17980
Overview
Chapter 3 of The People’s History of the United
States recounts on the colonization of Virginia
during the mid to late 17th century as well as
the early 18th century. It discusses Bacon’s
Rebellion against governor William Berkeley. It
also talks about slaves and indentured servants
during the time and how the concept of racism
began to formulate along with social class
hierarchies.
Bacon’s Rebellion
Nathaniel Bacon
formed a rebellion
group after Virginia’s
governor William
Berkeley refused to
force the Indians off of
their land.
Bacon’s Rebellion
This occurred during
the period of initial
colonization, therefore
New England rule was
still present within the
States. British rule
became especially
prominent during this
time in order to
regulate the rebellion.
Bacon’s Rebellion
Bacon’s rebellion
group took it upon
themselves to make
their land completely
their own by raiding
Indian villages and
killing hundreds of
their people.
Bacon’s Rebellion
Bacon’s Rebellion was comprised of both black
and white slaves who were angry at the fact
that Indians were not being used for labor, and
were being left alone to continue living the way
they had been before the settlers arrived.
Social Hierarchy
The population of 17th century Virginia and
Massachusetts was very divided by wealth and
race. The wealthy had a greater advantages
than the middle class through bribes and by
being able to pay off taxes and fees set forth by
the government.
Social Hierarchy
Slaves and indentured servants were common during this
time. However, people began to realize the injustice and
unethical aspects that were carried along with slavery and
the corruption that often occurred between indentured
servants and their masters.
Slaves awaiting sale in
Richmond, Virginia.
Social Hierarchy
“Edmund Morgan, on the
basis of his careful study
of slavery in Virginia,
sees racism not as
"natural" to black-white
difference, but something
coming out of class scorn,
a realistic device for
control.” (Zinn)
Social Hierarchy
“Through all that growth, the upper class was
getting most of the benefits and monopolized
political power.” (Zinn)
Wealth was the main indicator of power during
the time. Lower class people were struggling
to survive while the higher classes lived in
comfort.
Conclusion
“Persons of Mean and Vile Condition” aims to
portray the new settlers during the 16 and
1700s as these “persons” who create a
destructive environment as the basis for their
state as whole. It presents acts of hatred within
society and actions that are influenced by a
sense of territorialism. Zinn intends to shed
light on the harsh beginnings of our country.
References
Zinn, Howard. A People’s History of the United States, (1980).
Images:
● http://memory.loc.
gov/ammem/collections/jefferson_papers/images/3b37480.jpe
● http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b7/Howard_Pyle__The_Burning_of_Jamestown.jpg
● http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a6/CroweSlaves_Waiting_for_Sale_-_Richmond,_Virginia.jpg
● http://blackloyalist.com/canadiandigitalcollection/pics/escape.jpg