United States History Student Edition

Major Robert Beverley was an aristocrat who supported Governor Berkeley during Bacon’s Rebellion. Beverley’s son, also Robert Beverley, became a member of the House of Burgesses, but he is best known for his book The History and Present State of Virginia (1705). In this excerpt, Beverley provides his thoughts on Nathaniel Bacon and the 1676 rebellion. “ At first they [the crowd] flock'd together tumultuously, running in Troops from one Plantation to another without a Head; till at last the seditious Humor [temperament] of Colonel Nath. Bacon led him to be of the Party. This Gentleman had been brought up at one of the Inns of Court in England and had a moderate Fortune. He was young, bold, active, of an inviting Aspect [appearance], and powerful Elocution. In a Word, he was every way qualified to head a giddy and unthinking Multitude. ” ACTIVITY Opposing a Rebellion Using what you know about Bacon’s Rebellion and Beverly’s sentiments in the accompanying excerpt, write an essay that explains the actions and motives behind the rebellion, the peoples who were being harmed by the rebels’ actions, and the possible long-term effects on the Virginia colony. Writing an Argumentative Essay C

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Building Citizenship

In this topic, you learned that religious dissidents fled persecution in England and came to the American colonies so they could be free to practice their chosen religion. Some colonies, such as Massachusetts and Connecticut, were founded with an official state religion and denied people freedom to follow other religions. Other colonies—Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Rhode Island—were established to allow more religious freedom. However, religious intolerance also occurred in those colonies. How important is religious freedom in the United States today? The Constitution, the basis of law and government in the United States, prohibits the government from establishing any official religion or restricting any person’s religious freedom. How do Americans express this freedom today? Do any conflicts about freedom of religion still exist? How does America’s view of religious freedom today relate to the views of the early English colonists? ACTIVITY Creating a Presentation About Religious Liberty Create a multimedia presentation about the importance of religious liberty to Americans today. Include whatever type of media you think best shows what Americans today think about religious liberty— images, video, speeches, documents, music, news headlines, posters, and so on. Also be sure to include a clear statement of your point of view on the question: Is religious liberty still important to Americans today?

Beverley, Robert. The History and Present State of Virginia in Four Parts. London: R. Parker, 1705.

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