Final answer:
Bacon's Rebellion was sparked by Governor Berkeley's refusal to allow English settlers to attack and expand into Native American territories, leading to increased taxes and economic frustrations among the colonists.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bacon's Rebellion began in 1676 when Governor William Berkeley of Virginia refused to allow English settlers to expand their settlements and attack Native American territories. Settlers on the frontier, many of whom were former indentured servants, were frustrated by the attacks from nearby tribes and blamed Native Americans for their hardships. Under Berkeley's rule, taxes were already high for the colonists, and his defensive policy during the Susquehannock War implied further tax increases, exacerbating the settlers' discontent.
Bacon, a wealthy Englishman, found support among those settlers who felt Berkeley's policies hindered their economic opportunities and desire for land. Consequently, Bacon led a rebellion aimed not just at protecting frontier settlements but also at overthrowing Berkeley to gain more power for himself and the smaller planters.