Bacon's Rebellion Primary Source Analysis

Students will read and analyze excerpts from Nathaniel Bacon and Governor William Berkeley of Jamestown/the Virginia Colony regarding the causes of Bacon’s Rebellion by answering 17 questions (text, opinion, creative). Each reading is just under a page. The answers are included when appropriate and this would be great for a sub!

 Sample questions include:
—Explain what the specific complaint was regarding the beaver trade. 
—Summarize the historical context of item 5. What do you think was the most pressing concern within that item for Bacon and his followers and why?
—Do you see the writing of this document as justified, why or why not?
—What is Berkeley’s immediate defense of himself against Bacon’s assertions?
—Summarize the argument Berkeley makes in the second paragraph. Does it mark Bacon as a traitor, why or why not?
—Rewrite the phrase, “Kings have long arms” to show you know what that means in this context.
— Do you think Berkeley’s self-defense was warranted, why or why not? Was it adequate/successful, why or why not?

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