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Analysis Of Nathaniel Bacon 's ' The Name Of The People '

Decent Essays

In “Bacon’s Declaration in the Name of the People”, Nathaniel Bacon lists every major offense of Sir William Berkeley, many of which collide with one another to display how the governor’s actions and inactions built upon each other to create turmoil for the people of Virginia. However, Berkeley defends himself and proclaims Bacon a traitor in, “The Declaration and Remonstrance of Sir William Berkeley his most sacred Majesties Governor and Captain Generall of Virginia”. In order to gain the king’s favor, both men write separate declarations, but one has everything to lose while the other has everything to gain.
The first of the offenses listed by Bacon is the demanding of unjust taxes which are not being used to better the colony at least not for the underclass; thus, Berkeley has also been accused of abusing his power as governor. With the purpose of monetary gain, Bacon applies for a trading license but is denied by Berkeley and the council, which consists of many of Berkeley’s cronies. This leads Bacon to make the allegation that Berkeley has made a monopoly of the beaver trade which is true but Berkeley only denied Bacon’s request because he knew Bacon wanted more power and where there is money, there is power.
In the midst of the two men’s quarreling, the lower classes of Virginia are demanding land. They begin to migrate to Indian Territory and are consequently murdered by the Indians. Though there is an army at his command, Berkeley does not use them against the

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