In 1675 the lower class citizens of Virginia wanted to expand
and gain cheaper land. The Yeoman farmers and non land holders
wanted the government to expel or kill the Indians that were in the
way of their expansion. In order to protect the upper class wealthy
plantation owners, and have a ready supply of people for labor
their plantation, both plantation owners and Governor Berkeley did
not want this for the lower class. Against Governor Berkeley's
orders, a militia attacked the Native Americans. In rebellion to
these attacks the Native Americans started to raid the outer farms
and plantations killing lower class colonists. Nathaniel Bacon,
leader of the militia, asked Governor Berkeley for military
protection from these raids. When Governor Berkeley denied them
military protection against the attacks, again against the
Berkeley's orders Bacon's militia attacked the native Americans.
Berkley then had Bacon declared a traitor and was arrested. After
Bacon's release, Bacon still angry at Berkeley for how he and the
lower class people had been treated, gathered a militia together
and marched against Berkeley driving him into hiding, overthrowing
the government, and burning Jamestown to the ground. Soon after,
Bacon died suddenly of dysentery and Berkeley regained control.
