In this episode we reach the end of the era. In 1675 and 1676, two major wars overtook nearly all of the English colonies. In Virginia, Nathaniel Bacon created chaos in order to attack nearby Native tribes. What started out as a personal grievance became a full blown rebellion that outlived the origianal leader. In New England, Metacom, also known as Philip, started forging alliances with the surrounding Native tribes to try to put an end to the English menace. This conflict outgrew the original leader as well and led to the bloodiest war on American soil. After these colonial wars conclude, the colonies are left in ruins, and the English crown is forced to intervene.
The end of these wars marks the end of the early colonial period. It is not a clear turning point, though the outcomes of the conflicts start the ball rolling to a new era in colonial life. The AP notes cover these topics fairly well, though, as always, there are always details to bring in. Join me in filling in the missing pages…
Music
Intro: Fractured Timeline - Sémø
Outro: After the War - Ben Wagner
Sources
Tales from a Revolution - James D. Rice
King Philip’s War - Eric B. Schultz and Michael J. Tougias
Mayflower: Voyage, Community, War - Nathaniel Philbrick
American Colonies: The Settling of North America - Alan Taylor
Before the Revolution: America’s Ancient Pasts - Daniel K. Richter
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