Colonial Conflicts and Rebellions
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Before the unification of the American Colonies to form the United States of America, the colonies were divided internally. The colonies experienced a series of revolts and rebellions due to mounting social, political, and economic tensions. Like all rebellions and revolutions, they were led by the middle class. The friction occurred between parties like the Colonists and the British, the Colonists and the Native Americans, and the Colonists with each other. Many of these revolts and rebellions resulted in massacres and deaths, but in defense of the rebels, their reasons for rebellion was well established, while their actions during the rebellion can be abhorred.
In Virginia, there was Bacons Rebellion. The social precedents that led to this revolt was due to constant class struggles between the upper and lower classes. Those who resided in the Tidewater area of Jamestown led prosperous and secure lives, while those in the frontier lived in poverty, with poor soil for farming. Those who lived in the frontier were also constant victims of Native American raids and attacks, yet the upper class from Tidewater just turned their heads, negating the attacks that were occurring. The residents of the frontier needed aid, but no one was there to help them. Another social precedent the fact that many Roundheads and Cavaliers from England found safe haven in America here, some view the Bacons rebellion as an image of the English Civil War. Political causes for the upcoming Bacons rebellion was the poor leadership of Governor Berkeley, who was perceived as a corrupt leader and oppressed the lower classes. The misrepresentation of people in the Virginia House of Burgesses, which only allowed a seat for white, land-owning, Christian, men also made it unequal to all of the citizens of the town. Economic tensions could be tied into both social and political tensions as well. Mercantilism, the current economic policy of England at the time, hurt the colonies too, especially those of the lower classes because if its jacked up prices for the colonists. Plus, the decreasing value of tobacco due to competition from other colonies like Maryland and the Carolinas, put a drain on the small farmers of the crop in Virginia.
The Maryland Rebellions was led by none other than John Coode. Coode was a priest, but gave up priesthood to marry a wealthy widow, Susannah Slyle. Soon after, he was elected to the Marylands Assembly, but he was not satisfied, so he partook in a failed rebellion against the government. He was later taken out of office for his actions against the government. He followed this event up with a second rebellion that succeeded. The causes for this rebellion were primarily social causes. Maryland was originally a catholic colony, where most of the officials in power were catholic. After the Glorious Revolution in England, a wave of protestants migrated across the Atlantic and to Maryland. They were intimidated by all the Catholics in power and also because they failed to recognize William and Mary as the Protestant Rulers of England who had taken away power from the Catholic James II. Coode sought to fight the Catholic leaders in the name of “An association in arms, for the defence of the Protestant religion, and for asserting the right of King William and Queen Mary to the Province of Maryland and all the English dominions.” After the rebellion he became Governor for a short while, but was replaced by a Royal Governor. Coode led two more rebellions in his lifetime, so it is unclear if whether he was really passionate about his causes, or if he just liked to pick fights with those in authority.
In New York, Jacob Leisler led his rebellion. The cause for this rebellion was also mostly social. After the Catholic James II was replaced by the Protestant William and Mary in the Glorious Revolution, Governor Andros, of the Dominion of New England, which was created during the reign of James II, had to flee New York. The Dominion of New England was collapsing and he could not stay in New York because he was hated by the people of the colonies. Governor Andros was a big enforcer of the Navigation Acts. He was also a corrupt and harsh ruler who acted in his best interests. Leislers Rebellion was a fight for power with Lieutenant Governor Francis Nicholson. Leislers overthrew him and set up his own government with direct popular representation. Another policy of Leisler was to redistribute wealth to the poor. When William III appointed a royal governor for New York, Leisler refused to step down and was tried for treason and hanged.
The Paxton Boys of Pennsylvania also led their own little revolt. The Paxton Boys were a group of men from the