Bacon’s Rebellion was a revolt of Virginia colonists against the colony’s English government in 1676. The uprising was headed by Nathaniel Bacon, a prosperous young planter. The colonists charged that Governor William Berkeley would do nothing to stop Indian raids on the western settlements. The colonists also claimed that Berkeley granted political and commercial favors to his friends. Berkeley claimed, with some justice, that western Virginians killed Indians to obtain more land.
A group of colonists asked Bacon to lead an expedition against the Indians. After doing so, he and his followers made Governor Berkeley call an assembly to grant general political reforms. Later, Governor Berkeley called Bacon a rebel, and Bacon and his followers returned to burn Jamestown. Bacon died that year, but his rebellion led to the removal of Berkeley and to colonial reforms. Some historians dispute the charges against Berkeley.
