What evidence is there to support Mark Peterson's argument that Bacon's Rebellion primarily resulted from uneven distribution of land? Is there evidence in the sources that seems to suggest any other cause?
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Mark Peterson's argument that Bacon's Rebellion primarily resulted from the uneven distribution of land in colonial Virginia is supported by several pieces of evidence from historical sources. These sources shed light on the discontent among smaller farmers and landless laborers, who felt marginalized and excluded from political power due to the concentration of land and wealth in the hands of a few elite planters. However, there are also some indications in the sources that suggest other causes played a role in fueling the rebellion.
1. "Bacon's Laws, September 1676" (Historical Source): Bacon's Laws, a series of decrees passed during the rebellion, highlighted the economic grievances of the poorer class. These laws aimed to address issues such as access to frontier lands, relief from oppressive taxes, and protection against Native American attacks. This suggests that land distribution was a significant factor that motivated rebels.
2. "Petition of Nathaniel Bacon to Governor Berkeley, June 1676" (Historical Source): In this petition, Bacon refers to the rich and powerful taking advantage of land distribution policies to enrich themselves while neglecting the plight of the poorer settlers. He criticizes Governor Berkeley's administration for favoring the wealthy landowners and excluding others from political influence. This emphasizes the role of land distribution and political exclusion as catalysts for rebellion.
3. "The Fears of Bacon’s Enemies" (Historical Source): This source highlights the fear among the colonial establishment about the rebellion. It mentions that Bacon's support was not only from landless laborers but also from indebted servants, small farmers, and even wealthy individuals who were dissatisfied with the existing power structure. This suggests that multiple factors, such as socio-economic grievances and political exclusion, contributed to the rebellion.
On the other hand, there are also some sources that hint at different causes for the rebellion:
1. "The Declaration of the People" (Historical Source): This document issued by Bacon's followers refers to the neglect of defense against Native American attacks as a central grievance. While this is not a direct refutation of Peterson's argument, it suggests that concerns about Native American raids were also significant factors in fueling the rebellion.
2. "Philip A. Bruce's Economic History of Virginia in the Seventeenth Century" (Secondary Source): Bruce argues that the rebellion was not solely caused by land distribution issues but stemmed from a range of factors, including political, social, and economic discontent. He examines how demographic changes, competitions for political power, and tensions between the colonial elite and common farmers all contributed to the rebellion. This challenges the singular focus on land distribution as the primary cause.
In conclusion, the evidence suggests that the uneven distribution of land played a substantial role in fueling Bacon's Rebellion, as evident from the laws enacted and the grievances expressed by Nathaniel Bacon. However, there are also hints from other sources that other factors, such as defense against Native Americans and broader socio-political discontent, were contributing causes. The rebellion was likely the result of a complex interplay of various factors that culminated in widespread dissatisfaction among different social groups in colonial Virginia.
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