Colonial Rebellions

 

Stono Rebellion: South Carolina: Sept. 1739:

         Causes:

                 Spanish proclamation of freedom to any slaves escaping to Florida

War of Jenkins Ear

Disruption in Charleston from a epidemic (less confidence in govt.)

Security Act- required all whites to carry guns to church, slaves were

        often allowed to work for themselves on Sundays

 

         Events:

                 20 slaves gathered near the Stono River, armed themselves by

killing gun store owners

                 Heading South they killed Godfrey family, spared the owner of

Wallace’s tavern but continued murdering along the rest of the way

Late afternoon they stopped near Edisto River, between 20 and

100 whites pursued them and killed or eventually captured all

but one of the now fifty to sixty slaves

 

Effects:

        Negro Act was passed: Slaves no longer could:

                 Grow their own food

                 Assemble in groups

                 Earn their own money

                 Learn how to read

        (Some of these restrictions existed before the rebellion but were laxly enforced)

 

Paxton Boys: Pennsylvania- February 1764

 

Causes:

        Indian raids along Pennsylvania frontier

        Quaker refusal to help the frontiersmen in any way (pacifist beliefs)

       

Events:

        1500 men set out to attack Philadelphia

        A Quaker merchant who set out to find out where they were brought word    back to Philadelphia about the size and anger of the force

        The residents of Philadelphia quickly organized militia units

        2 a.m. fire bells rang out to warn of impending Paxton Boys

        Royal Governor went directly to Benjamin Franklin’s house

        The next day, Franklin rode out to meet with Paxton leaders

                 where he arranged for them to peaceably present their case to the

                 governor and Assembly

 

Effects:

        Revolt petered out

        Minor practice for American Revolution

        Willingness to use arms to resolve difficulties

 

 

Regulator Movement: Carolinas 1760’s

 

Causes:

        Isolation from eastern establishment led to the creation of a movement to     “regulate” life on the Carolina frontier (i.e. establish courts)

        Unhappiness with provincial government among frontiersmen

                 (Dishonest sheriffs, taxes, illegal fees)

 

Events:

        They tried peaceful change, but legal changes were too slow

        Turned to violence and lawlessness (refused to pay fees, terrorized     officials, disrupted court proceedings)

        1771 Militia was sent out to stop them by Governor Tryon

        Battle of Alamance Creek: two hour skirmish cost 18 total deaths

       

Effects:

        Symbolic of unrest among colonials against royal governments

        Boldness of challenge was an example to later revolutionaries

       

Leisler’s Rebellion: New York 1689

Causes:

        Tension between royal officials and upper class vs. middle class and    masses

        Glorious Revolution in England led to Leisler taking control away from

                 Edmund Andros’s deputy Francis Nicholson by using the militia

Events

        Leisler remained in control of NYC for two years

        William and Mary refused to recognize his service

        Leisler became tyrannical (jailing political opponents etc)

Effects:

        King sent new royal governor and troops which ultimately defeated      Leisler’s militia

        Leisler was hanged

 

Bacon’s Rebellion Virginia 1676

Causes:

        High taxes and low prices on crops

        Indian raids

Events:

        Governor Berkeley was slow to respond

        Bacon’s unofficial army was raised to stop the Indians, the governor    denounced him and denied him a commission and his newly won   seat in the House of Burgesses

        Bacon’s forces captured Jamestown, eventually (after Bacon’s sudden death) Berkeley regained the town

Effects:

        Change in Virginia government did occur

        Turn to use of slaves rather than indentured servants