Nathanial Bacon was labeled a hero, traitor and a villain

Hypothesis: Since Bacon was viewed in so many different ways, who was he really?

Thesis: Nathanial Bacon can be called many things, the most fitting of which is villain..

Outline:
II. Background Info
A. In 1676 Nathanial Bacon led a rebellion against the Virginian Government
B. The Government refused to protect them from the nearby Indians
C. The rebellion took it upon themselves to protect their land from these hostile Indians
D. Because of these actions Nathanial Bacon has been called many things
III. Thesis
A. Nathanial Bacon can be called many things, the most fitting of which is villain.
IV. Body
A. Bacon united the colonists against a cause
1) NB Doc 12 “I resolved to march out upon the Enemy with which volunteers I could ten get, but by so doing found that I not only lost the governors favor, but exposed my very life and fortune at home as well as abroad… but considering the necessity, I still proceeded.” – Bacon did what he thought was necessary but it could have been done in a much less deadly manner.
2) RB Doc 8”To minds already full of discontent, made people ready to vent all their resentment against the poor Indians” – He was unitary among men who desperately wanted to be united against something.
3) RB Doc 11 “In a word, he was everyway qualified to head a giddy and unthinking Multitude”
B. The Indians became scapegoats for the Colonists
1) UA Doc 21 “The [Indians] began and killed on of our men, which we quickly repaid them, firing in at all their men (inside the fort) so think that the groans of men women and children were so loud, that with all their howling and singing, could not hinder them from being heard.” – The colonists were not at all hesitant about killing Natives. They felt oppressed and they wanted to be in control of something.
2) Doc 4 “The Indians sent out 5 greate men to Treate of Peace, who were not permitted to return to the Fort, but being kept Prisoners some tyme were at last murdered by the English.” – Even when the Indians believed they were going to be getting something out of their relations they were killed.
3) TM Doc 3 “Shott fourteen before [a friendly] Indian came, who with both hands shook him (friendly) by on arm saying Susquehanougs Neoughs [i.e. these are Susquehannaugh or friends] and fled, whereupon [the Col.] ran amongst his men, crying out “For the lords sake shoot no more these are our friends the Susque-hanoughs”.” – Colonists shot and killed these people without even caring about whether or not they were “friendly”
V. My sources
A. The sources that I am choosing to use are needed to help convey my point
B. I agree that Bacon’s rebellion probably was a key factor leading to the American Revolt. But I think that the rebellion could have been run by better men.
C. There are so many ways that Bacons actions can be interpreted that it is hard to pick a side, but of all the documents I have read the majority do not paint his or the other settlers actions as heroic.

VII: Works Cited
A. So far all my references are coming from papers you have given me, but as I keep progressing in this assignment I am sure I will add more.