Stoo Rebellion Research Paper

Differences between cultures are not something new. Many of us can still see it in our daily lives. Four hundred years ago two very distinctly different cultures clashed in what we call the American Southwest. The Spanish presence brought new ideas, new culture, and new way of life to the new found Americas much to the demise of the already settled native tribes. Already having controlled much of Mexico and South America, problems were rising in the outskirts of New Spain. Secular and religious authorities were in conflict and the ever growing animosity of its aboriginal tribe made it difficult to maintain Spanish control. Though, for four generations the Spaniards had begun to feel successful in their endeavors of

Bacon’s Rebellion and the Salem Witch Trials were significant events that occurred in the seventeenth century where members of the upper class imposed unfair treatment upon the lower class. Bacon’s Rebellion occurred in Virginia in 1676 when Nathaniel Bacon became frustrated with the governor’s response to issues regarding Indian frontierland and disputes between Native Americans and the settlers. The Salem Witch Trials took place between 1692 and 1693 and involved the persecution of certain women who were accused of witchcraft. Although Bacon’s Rebellion and the Salem Witch Trials dealt with vastly different issues, the classes of people who were targeted or ignored (i.e. lower class citizens) were the same, and both had effects on the relations among colonists.

In 1676, Nathaniel Bacon rebelled and held a revolt in Colonial Virginia. High taxes, low prices for tobacco, and resentment against special privileges given those close to the governor, Sir William Berkeley, provided the background for the uprising. These factors made the rebellion inevitable. All of the chaos was precipitated by Governor Berkeley's failure to defend the frontier against attacks by Native Americans. Bacon commanded two unauthorized but successful expeditions against the tribes and was then elected to the new House of Burgesses, which Berkeley had been forced to convene. Berkeley then sent out a warrant for his arrest and Bacon was put in jail. Bacon soon was released and he immediately gathered his supporters,

The Salem Witch trials, of Salem Massachusetts are known for their hypocrisy and unfair rulings. The trials were the main conflict in the Plymouth colony, causing a scare between the colonists, making them fear each other. Plymouth was set in stone in their ways, and if there was any one doing something different they were persecuted because they didn’t belong. The citizens concerned themselves more with others than with the individual growth of themselves.

Throughout the Salem witch trials, there were many important contributing factors that spiced up the trials. The witch trials were nothing more than land grabs, economic opportunity, jealousy, and people trying to get retribution on their neighbors. The Puritans religion, politics, and economics were the factors that played a colossal role during the investigation for witchcraft. During the trial of an incriminated person, the community would constantly use their religious and political belief against them. Many accused witches hardly stood a chance if they were known as sinners, stood on the wrong sides of political views, or owned property that someone wanted. If an accused was not known to sin, they believed the right side of politics, and they did not own anything of value, they would most likely be found innocent during the investigation for witchcraft.

The Salem Witch Trials is an infamous event due to its bizarre and seemingly hysteric circumstances. Eric Foner contributes this incident to Europe’s growing population as well as the replication of English hierarchical social structure in the colonies. I believe that the established social class influenced the Salem Witch Trials to some extent, but the series of trials and executions were caused more by general social and economic tension in the colonies during the 17th century. Those who lived in Salem during 1692 faced numerous hardships. Work was incessant and exhausting- duties including making clothes, raising livestock, and farming in harsh climates and rough terrain. Most families had to be self-sufficient and upkeep strict Puritan values. A recent smallpox epidemic, growing small-town rivalry, and an influx of political conflict in a colony teetering between governments. The constant threat from nearby Native American tribes also magnified the Puritans’ irrational fear.

The Salem witch trials had a drastic affect on the Puritan religion. The trials helped shape and point the direction for the New England Colonies and the Puritan religion. The Salem witch trials outbreak began in 1692. In the past, there had only been about five convictions of people being accused of witchcraft; none of this resulted in any deaths(Wilborn 16). Usually just a fine was given, but by the end of 1692 there was already 150 arrests (17). Whether you were rich or poor, it didn’t seem to matter, anyone and everyone was being accused. No one felt safe at this time (Trask ix).

Thousands of Americans, who changed citizenship and received large tracts of land from the Mexican government, rebelled in Texas in 1835 for several reasons, including Mexico’s abolition of the locally popular Texas provincial government and its inability to

“As news of the events that transpired in Salem spread through the colonies it shamed some Puritans, who were embarrassed over the entire ordeal. The trials also stood as a testament to the sort of things that

“The Coming of the Spanish and the Pueblo Revolt” (Hopi) illustrates how the interactions of two distinctly different groups of people inevitably change the dynamics of each group, collectively and individually. This story is told from the Hopi perspective, but the outcome of the Pueblo Revolt is historically validated. It is the events described in this story that show how the Hopi and the Spaniards change by contact with each other. A few of the changes for the Hopi were the upheaval of their Utopian-like existence by the arrival of the Spaniards, the need to practice their religion secretly, and the determination to use violence to defend their own, even though it was

had now become a serious problem for the governor. When news of this revolt had

After the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, a decade of uncertainty followed. Both the Pueblo and Spanish, were uncertain as to what the future would hold. The Pueblos, after the revolt, reoccupied their pueblos and carried on with their lives while the Spanish lived in colonies in exile farther south. However, the two groups proved to not stay apart for very long. As early as 1681, Governor Otermin attempted to reconquer the Pueblo world and marched to the Isleta Pueblo with a small army of 146 men. His group was unsuccessful, however, and was forced to turn around after his group, weakened by the harsh winter conditions, encountered a group of Pueblo leaders and fighting men. Six years later, Governor Reneros led a force up the Camino Real in 1687 where he met resistance at Santa Ana and Zia Pueblos, and in 1689, Governor Jironza ferociously assaulted Zia Pueblo.

Bacon's Rebellion was a bloody uprising against American Indians and the colonial government whom William Berkeley was a governor. When Bacon arrived at Jamestown, planting tobacco wasn't profitable as it was before. The tobacco price had fallen down as more and more newcomers came to America as laborers in the tobacco fields. Race played a main role in this rebellion in which the American Indians were viewed as trade inferiors to Bacon. Thus, Bacon's motive of getting rid of the American Indians was triggered. Furthermore, the colonial refused to support Bacon's idea in which urged him to challenge them.

The Pueblo revolt was the changing point for the relationship between the Spanish and native population and one of the earliest tragedies to befall the Natives at the time but to explain what lead to the revolt we must step back into history and look at the events that lead to this.

The Salem Witch Trials came at a time where the colonists were just trying to overcome many other problems. In 1686, King James created the Dominion of New England. The Dominion of New England was an attempt by the king of England to unite all of the colonies. As a part of this plan, he wanted all of the colonies to be ruled by one governor. Therefore, he appointed Sir Edmund Andros as the governor of the Dominion of New England. The colonists were unhappy with the appointment of Andros because they felt that he undermined local self-government. As a result, the colonists felt that their power and control over themselves was being challenged. People who lived in religious communities, like Salem, did not want their form of government to change from a theocracy (Burner 63). The Salem Witch Trials came at a time where the government