Question

What was the main point of contention between backcountry and tidewater virginia?

Answer 1

Lack of support and representation in the colonial government.

Backcountry settlers in Virginia were living on the western edge of the colony near the Appalachian Mountains. The settlers of the tidewaters lived on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean in the Virginia colony and many were original settlers or related to the original settlers. The coast is where the government was located as well as towns.

The backcountry settlers were struggling to be heard by the coastal leaders on the issues they were having on the frontier. One of the main issues of concern were the attacks by Native Americans on the frontier line. The backcountry settlers wanted more support from the government and the government was not receptive. This caused rebellion in the backcountry against the coastal government. The most famous of rebellions was Bacon's Rebellion when Nathaniel Bacon brought together backcountry settlers against the coastal government members.