Bacon's Rebellion, 1676

"Bacon's Rebellion, 1676" by Thomas Jefferson Wertenbaker is a mid-20th century historical examination of the uprising led by Nathaniel Bacon against Governor William Berkeley in colonial Virginia. It tells the story of the social and political issues that caused the conflict, focusing on problems with how the colony was governed, corruption, and the battles of everyday colonists against an unfair government. The book begins by explaining the complicated situation in Virginia before Bacon's Rebellion, showing how unhappy the colonists were with Governor Berkeley's leadership because he gave too much power to his friends, charged high taxes without giving the people a say, and didn't share land fairly. Important people like Berkeley and Bacon are introduced as major players in the upcoming fight, with descriptions of the harsh rules and economic struggles that made the colonists want to rebel. The book creates a strong understanding of the many different parts of the Rebellion as the story moves forward.