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What does morgan argue about the effects of bacons rebellion on the plantation elites understanding of the utility of indentured servants versus enslaved labor

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User Sjlee
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Answer:

The main point of Edmund Morgan's interpretation of Bacon's rebellion was discontent with the post Restoration government of Sir William Berkeley. Bacon's rebellion has been historically tied not only to the American Revolution, but also the rise of slavery.

Morgan sees the consequences of the revolt as being huge. He suggests that the development of slavery in the Virginia colony can be traced to the events surrounding Bacon's revolt.

Morgan portrayed the rebellion as the culmination of discontent among Virginia's underclass. His chapter in 'American Slavery, American Freedom' describing the period before Bacon's rebellion is titled simply: "Discontent."

To Morgan, a rebellion among the underclass was became certain as soon as a Nathaniel Bacon the "great planter" was forced into a leadership role.

Eventually, during the Indian crisis of 1675-6, the frontier gentry were confronted by large groups of angry armed men bent on venting their collective discontent upon the neighboring Indians.

After the rebellion, the society was transformed into the hierarchical, gentry-dominated colony of great plantations built upon the backs of slave labor.

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User Keoros
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