Nathanial Bacon was not a hero in his rebellion because his actions were misguided.
I. Intro
A. Thesis
II. Bacon was a hero
a. Who was he a hero to?
b. Why did they see him like that?
c. Did they have any other choice?
d. Who agrees with this position?
e. Evidence - (paraphrasing quotes templates summary)
III. Bacon was not a hero
a. Definition of martyr-
b. why he was a martyr
c. question, "Was he a leader, or more a character created out of desperation?"
d. answer
e. Evidence - (paraphrasing quotes templates summary)
IV. My thoughts
A. Was anyone justified?
b. He was not a hero (use both agree and disagree templates)
c. Agree- change was needed and he brought it.
d. Disagree- brought out colonists anger and frustrations on Indians
e. Evidence - (paraphrasing quotes templates summary)
Monday, October 13, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Essay Update
History can give us different versions of the same people or events. For example, take Nathanial Bacon of Bacon’s Rebellion. In some reports, he seems to be the picture of heroism, a man who led to poor and underprivileged settlers, servants and slaves to revolt against the malign government. Other articles aren't so willing to paint him as the hero.
Bacon: A Hero
In his declaration, he believes himself a tragic hero, a defender of the poor and unprotected, a champion of justice. He said himself, "Judge therefore all wise and unprejudiced men...the aspersion of Traitor or Rebell", playing the long suffering martyr in his own documents. In his wife’s letter to her sister, she tells a story of how he is doing good for the community, risking life and limb to protect the colonists from the “troublesome Indians”.
The poor people, the indentured servants, the slaves both black and white were desperate for change. They urgently needed protection; fearing for their lives, hiding in their houses or abandoning them altogether in fear of Indian attacks. Then Bacon comes along with his message of fighting back, it would inspire them, giving them an outlet for their frustrations. The issue was, the outlet was not the correct one, neither was his intention noble at all.
But he would seem so to the people, and why not? They had no other option, who else would fight for their rights? Certainly not the wealthy; and their own government was treating them with indifference. (All sources do agree that Berkley's interest in protecting the Indians, or at least showing a refusal to offend or attack them, was not a product of compassion. He was simply protecting a source of valuable income, which made the poor settlers even angrier. Their government was neglecting them in order to make money. It was hardly any wonder they revolted.)
He was also willing to break social rank to fight the Indians, which was also a attractive quality for the settlers. He would not be a hypocrite, sitting behind his desk, cheering them on while accepting handouts from the government. He fought alongside his followers in many battles with the Natives.
Next, it should be said that the Indians were not as innocent as they are portrayed. They attacks, stole, murdered, kidnapped and even tortured settlers. The inland sett;ers were in constant danger of attck.
Bacon: a Martyr
Forenote: I'm using the definition of martyr, “A person who seeks sympathy or attention by feigning or exaggerating pain, deprivation, etc.” The Zinn and Stefoff excerpt seem to view him as a misguided leader. The chapter is quoted saying, “He probably cared more about fighting Indians than about helping the poor."[Pg 36] It seems implied that these poor white Englishmen had no one else to turn to for reform and protection from the government. That brings up the question, was he a leader, or more a character created out of desperation? The people had multiple reasons for their unrest; their poverty, the growing distinctions between classes, promises of wealth and land that wouldn't be fulfilled, the lack of a middle class, the growing anger at the government for lack of protection, and the racial tension, all of this was simmering below the surface of the shining new world the settlers had tried to hard to create. As Puglisi stated in his article, "He [Bacon] claimed that he was providing a release for the colonist’s frustrations." Puglisi forgot to mention that killing and plundering innocent Indian villages is hardly a hobby. The documents imply that Bacon had no reason to attack the Indians, and that the attacks against the Doeg and Pamunkey tribes were merely retaliation against Gov. Berkley's crimes.
So who was Bacon? Was he simply an angry colonist searching for justice? Or was he a malicious leader, killing whenever or whoever he deemed fit?
If the sources are to be taken as truth, there would be no Heroes in Bacons Rebellion. Each side of the conflict had their own faults and wrongdoings. But each side also had reasoning for their anger; reasoning that may have been misguided, but was present nonetheless. The Indians played a major role in this conflict. But I personally believe they were the most innocent our all the parties involved.
Bacon: A Hero
In his declaration, he believes himself a tragic hero, a defender of the poor and unprotected, a champion of justice. He said himself, "Judge therefore all wise and unprejudiced men...the aspersion of Traitor or Rebell", playing the long suffering martyr in his own documents. In his wife’s letter to her sister, she tells a story of how he is doing good for the community, risking life and limb to protect the colonists from the “troublesome Indians”.
The poor people, the indentured servants, the slaves both black and white were desperate for change. They urgently needed protection; fearing for their lives, hiding in their houses or abandoning them altogether in fear of Indian attacks. Then Bacon comes along with his message of fighting back, it would inspire them, giving them an outlet for their frustrations. The issue was, the outlet was not the correct one, neither was his intention noble at all.
But he would seem so to the people, and why not? They had no other option, who else would fight for their rights? Certainly not the wealthy; and their own government was treating them with indifference. (All sources do agree that Berkley's interest in protecting the Indians, or at least showing a refusal to offend or attack them, was not a product of compassion. He was simply protecting a source of valuable income, which made the poor settlers even angrier. Their government was neglecting them in order to make money. It was hardly any wonder they revolted.)
He was also willing to break social rank to fight the Indians, which was also a attractive quality for the settlers. He would not be a hypocrite, sitting behind his desk, cheering them on while accepting handouts from the government. He fought alongside his followers in many battles with the Natives.
Next, it should be said that the Indians were not as innocent as they are portrayed. They attacks, stole, murdered, kidnapped and even tortured settlers. The inland sett;ers were in constant danger of attck.
Bacon: a Martyr
Forenote: I'm using the definition of martyr, “A person who seeks sympathy or attention by feigning or exaggerating pain, deprivation, etc.” The Zinn and Stefoff excerpt seem to view him as a misguided leader. The chapter is quoted saying, “He probably cared more about fighting Indians than about helping the poor."[Pg 36] It seems implied that these poor white Englishmen had no one else to turn to for reform and protection from the government. That brings up the question, was he a leader, or more a character created out of desperation? The people had multiple reasons for their unrest; their poverty, the growing distinctions between classes, promises of wealth and land that wouldn't be fulfilled, the lack of a middle class, the growing anger at the government for lack of protection, and the racial tension, all of this was simmering below the surface of the shining new world the settlers had tried to hard to create. As Puglisi stated in his article, "He [Bacon] claimed that he was providing a release for the colonist’s frustrations." Puglisi forgot to mention that killing and plundering innocent Indian villages is hardly a hobby. The documents imply that Bacon had no reason to attack the Indians, and that the attacks against the Doeg and Pamunkey tribes were merely retaliation against Gov. Berkley's crimes.
So who was Bacon? Was he simply an angry colonist searching for justice? Or was he a malicious leader, killing whenever or whoever he deemed fit?
If the sources are to be taken as truth, there would be no Heroes in Bacons Rebellion. Each side of the conflict had their own faults and wrongdoings. But each side also had reasoning for their anger; reasoning that may have been misguided, but was present nonetheless. The Indians played a major role in this conflict. But I personally believe they were the most innocent our all the parties involved.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
JSTOR Search reveiw
I did not find the JSTORE site very helpful, although it is a recourse I could see being very useful in the future. I tried many combinations of words and there was only one of any real value, which was the first one from William and Mary college. I believe it was a primary document, which was useful.
But the other things it brought up were generally unhelpful, bringing up articles about Francis Bacon and Leisler's Rebellion.
There were things I appreciated about the site though, the best being the ability to email the citation to your personal address, that was a very useful feature. (Although I tried this, and the attachments were broken)
I also liked that you could view a list of pages with the search terms, and that you could click on links to just those pages, instead of having to read through all of them trying to find what you need. It was like an instant index, witch I found really impressive, since most of the articles were in PDF format.
So even though I did not find anything really profound on the site, I will try it again, because there is so much potential to be an amazing recourse in the future.
But the other things it brought up were generally unhelpful, bringing up articles about Francis Bacon and Leisler's Rebellion.
There were things I appreciated about the site though, the best being the ability to email the citation to your personal address, that was a very useful feature. (Although I tried this, and the attachments were broken)
I also liked that you could view a list of pages with the search terms, and that you could click on links to just those pages, instead of having to read through all of them trying to find what you need. It was like an instant index, witch I found really impressive, since most of the articles were in PDF format.
So even though I did not find anything really profound on the site, I will try it again, because there is so much potential to be an amazing recourse in the future.
Response to John Winthrop Quotes
Quote 1
- This quote is saying that the political body is the same as the spiritual or Christian body. The metaphor is effective because it is one the settlers have heard before, to describe the Church. So when he applies it to politics or a government, they can easily translate. It also is stating that unless they work together as one, they will not be able to survive or flourish. The body only works when all the parts work together, so it would give a sense of "collective individuality", that their actions will in some way affect other people.
Quote 2
- This quote is saying that there was one a good England, and that should be resurrected. "What they have ought to have done" means they used hindsight, they looked into the past, saw what they did not like or what needed to be changed, and take these matters into their own hands to create a new, better England, with roots in what it used to be. They were simply creating a new country, nearly like the one from where they came, except they had the chance to make it exactly as they wanted it.
Quote 3
- The quote is saying that the mission they have, to make a new more pure colony, was directly a mission from god. That is was their duty on earth to make a new state in where God could be glorified in the way that they thought most true to Christianity. They would see the land that they would take over as a gift from God, and that he would expect them to use it accordingly, not to ruin it becoming corrupt like the Old England.
Quote 4
- This quote means that they would make a settlement, a religion, a colony so pure that it would be looked upon as the ideal for all the other colonies in America. The word would spread how they and they alone are doing the will of God, and others would strive to be like them.
- This quote is saying that the political body is the same as the spiritual or Christian body. The metaphor is effective because it is one the settlers have heard before, to describe the Church. So when he applies it to politics or a government, they can easily translate. It also is stating that unless they work together as one, they will not be able to survive or flourish. The body only works when all the parts work together, so it would give a sense of "collective individuality", that their actions will in some way affect other people.
Quote 2
- This quote is saying that there was one a good England, and that should be resurrected. "What they have ought to have done" means they used hindsight, they looked into the past, saw what they did not like or what needed to be changed, and take these matters into their own hands to create a new, better England, with roots in what it used to be. They were simply creating a new country, nearly like the one from where they came, except they had the chance to make it exactly as they wanted it.
Quote 3
- The quote is saying that the mission they have, to make a new more pure colony, was directly a mission from god. That is was their duty on earth to make a new state in where God could be glorified in the way that they thought most true to Christianity. They would see the land that they would take over as a gift from God, and that he would expect them to use it accordingly, not to ruin it becoming corrupt like the Old England.
Quote 4
- This quote means that they would make a settlement, a religion, a colony so pure that it would be looked upon as the ideal for all the other colonies in America. The word would spread how they and they alone are doing the will of God, and others would strive to be like them.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Coll 101 Assignment, Part 4
4. Write a personal evaluation of the college fair experience.
The college fair was a complete success for me, but only because I was prepared in advance. If I had just shown up there, the experience would have been completely chaotic and nearly worthless. The fact I came prepared with what was important to me, the questions I wanted to ask, was invaluable.
The information I received that was the most important was probably when I asked the rep from NWCA how I could impress the admissions officers most with my portfolio or application. He told me that my portfolio was extremely important, that showing examples that you could grow and had talent was consequential. “But even more that that”, he said “you can impress us by showing a desire to learn, a desire to attend, a passion for your art.” That’s something you won’t get offline.
I don’t think I have any unanswered questions that I didn’t ask at the fair. Now my question is will my credits be transferred? But that will be part of the next step, which is starting communication with these colleges now. I should start thinking about my portfolio, and how it will affect me in the admissions process.
The fair was a great experience for me, I had fun, and I learned more in a few hours that I could have online. I met people, I shook the hands that might hold my admissions essay, I got numbers for the people Ill be talking to throughout the next three years, with all luck.
The college fair was a complete success for me, but only because I was prepared in advance. If I had just shown up there, the experience would have been completely chaotic and nearly worthless. The fact I came prepared with what was important to me, the questions I wanted to ask, was invaluable.
The information I received that was the most important was probably when I asked the rep from NWCA how I could impress the admissions officers most with my portfolio or application. He told me that my portfolio was extremely important, that showing examples that you could grow and had talent was consequential. “But even more that that”, he said “you can impress us by showing a desire to learn, a desire to attend, a passion for your art.” That’s something you won’t get offline.
I don’t think I have any unanswered questions that I didn’t ask at the fair. Now my question is will my credits be transferred? But that will be part of the next step, which is starting communication with these colleges now. I should start thinking about my portfolio, and how it will affect me in the admissions process.
The fair was a great experience for me, I had fun, and I learned more in a few hours that I could have online. I met people, I shook the hands that might hold my admissions essay, I got numbers for the people Ill be talking to throughout the next three years, with all luck.
Coll 101 Assignment, Part 3
3. After attending a seminar at the college fair, describe its content and evaluate the information received.
The workshop I attended was “How to Write a Better College Essay.” I found the information very useful. She had been a dean of admissions, and she has read literally thousands of essays. The speaker told us the importance of a few main items, the first one being something as simple as follow the directions. Her next points stressed the importance of personal voice in your essay. She said be real, be yourself, use whatever talents you have. One of the best pieces of advice she gave me was to play to your strengths. If you are good at creative writing, then write it like a story. I didn’t know you could do that, I thought it had to follow the traditional essay format, that’s something I will be using when I write my own college entrance essays. She said there have been many cases where she could see talent, but the student’s refusal to brag about their own qualities in their essay may have cost them admission. She was entertaining, and what I learned in that seminar I will be able to use in other essays as well, so that was 30 minutes of my time very well spent.
The workshop I attended was “How to Write a Better College Essay.” I found the information very useful. She had been a dean of admissions, and she has read literally thousands of essays. The speaker told us the importance of a few main items, the first one being something as simple as follow the directions. Her next points stressed the importance of personal voice in your essay. She said be real, be yourself, use whatever talents you have. One of the best pieces of advice she gave me was to play to your strengths. If you are good at creative writing, then write it like a story. I didn’t know you could do that, I thought it had to follow the traditional essay format, that’s something I will be using when I write my own college entrance essays. She said there have been many cases where she could see talent, but the student’s refusal to brag about their own qualities in their essay may have cost them admission. She was entertaining, and what I learned in that seminar I will be able to use in other essays as well, so that was 30 minutes of my time very well spent.
Coll 101 Assignment, Part 2
2. Select a college major; describe three colleges with quality degree programs in that major.
My most desired major is a fine arts degree in photography. At the college fair I saw 4-5 prospective colleges with quality degrees in that field.
One of them was California College of the arts. CCA did not impress me much in person, the tuition is very expensive, and the first year you do not get to choose the classes you take. Their brochure was much more informative and inviting. I was impressed, however, with the representative of CCA. She was knowledgeable in my degree program, and her advice even helped me that day during the college fair. She addressed the high tuition costs and told me that a lot of it could be waived they had more scholarship opportunities than most. Considering the price of tuition, and the face that I would need to move out of state upon acceptance, I would probably not apply to this college. But if it was in state, I would be interested I attending.
The second college I explored was Alberta College of Art and Design. I was also favorably impressed by the rep there, she was friendly and knowledgeable. I did not discover anything too profound about this college, I think the only thing that really sets it apart in my eyes would be its location, I wouldn’t have considered a college that was out of country before the fair. I would like to attend this college, but I think the transition would be one of the hardest; I do not want to be that far away from my family and friends. I don’t see the educational experience being that terribly different than anything I had already seen; they are a small college, with relatively low student to teacher ratios, low tuition and an urban campus.
The last and final college I explored for their photography degree was Northwest College of the Arts. I was by far the most impressed with this college. They have almost obscenely small class sizes and teacher-student ratios. They are a private college, and I would appreciate the challenge of getting accepted there. I love the low tuition and the spacious natural campus. They have modern, state of the art facilities as they have recently moved due to expansion. They I could double major in both my fields of choice, and actually graduate faster than if I was enrolled in another dual major program. If they accepted my transfer credit, I may save a truly incredible about of money and time in college, the experience would be completely different here than any other college.
My most desired major is a fine arts degree in photography. At the college fair I saw 4-5 prospective colleges with quality degrees in that field.
One of them was California College of the arts. CCA did not impress me much in person, the tuition is very expensive, and the first year you do not get to choose the classes you take. Their brochure was much more informative and inviting. I was impressed, however, with the representative of CCA. She was knowledgeable in my degree program, and her advice even helped me that day during the college fair. She addressed the high tuition costs and told me that a lot of it could be waived they had more scholarship opportunities than most. Considering the price of tuition, and the face that I would need to move out of state upon acceptance, I would probably not apply to this college. But if it was in state, I would be interested I attending.
The second college I explored was Alberta College of Art and Design. I was also favorably impressed by the rep there, she was friendly and knowledgeable. I did not discover anything too profound about this college, I think the only thing that really sets it apart in my eyes would be its location, I wouldn’t have considered a college that was out of country before the fair. I would like to attend this college, but I think the transition would be one of the hardest; I do not want to be that far away from my family and friends. I don’t see the educational experience being that terribly different than anything I had already seen; they are a small college, with relatively low student to teacher ratios, low tuition and an urban campus.
The last and final college I explored for their photography degree was Northwest College of the Arts. I was by far the most impressed with this college. They have almost obscenely small class sizes and teacher-student ratios. They are a private college, and I would appreciate the challenge of getting accepted there. I love the low tuition and the spacious natural campus. They have modern, state of the art facilities as they have recently moved due to expansion. They I could double major in both my fields of choice, and actually graduate faster than if I was enrolled in another dual major program. If they accepted my transfer credit, I may save a truly incredible about of money and time in college, the experience would be completely different here than any other college.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
