Nathaniel Bacon helped the poor settlers who lived in the western part of the colony by leading Bacon's Rebellion, a rebellion against the colonial government in Virginia in 1676. Here are some ways he helped the poor settlers:
1. Defending their interests: Bacon and his followers were primarily motivated by the grievances of the poor settlers in the western part of the colony. They felt that the colonial government was not adequately protecting their interests and was favoring the wealthy elite. By leading the rebellion, Bacon aimed to address their concerns and fight for their rights.
2. Challenging the government: Bacon's Rebellion was a direct challenge to the authority of Governor William Berkeley and the colonial government. The rebellion sought to dismantle the oppressive policies and practices that were negatively impacting the poor settlers. It aimed to create a more equitable and just society where the concerns of the less privileged were taken into account.
3. Demanding reforms: One of the main goals of Bacon's Rebellion was to demand reforms in the colonial government. The rebels wanted better representation and an end to policies that favored the wealthy landowners. Through their actions, they sought to bring attention to the plight of the poor settlers and push for changes that would benefit them.
4. Redistributing power: The rebellion highlighted the power imbalance in the colony and emphasized the need for a more inclusive and fair distribution of power. While the rebellion ultimately failed, it served as a catalyst for future reforms and changes in the colonial government, which eventually led to a more representative and accountable system.
It is important to note that while Bacon's Rebellion had the intention of helping the poor settlers, it was also driven by other factors such as political rivalries and conflicts over Native American policies. Nonetheless, the rebellion brought attention to the concerns of the marginalized settlers and contributed to discussions and actions that aimed to address their needs.