They controlled people through fear of their gods of their religion. Also they had access to plenty of gold which was valuable at the time.
Nathaniel Bacon was a colonist of Virginia Colony and he was known for instigating the Bacon's rebellion that ended when he himself died.
He led a rebellion against the wealthy land owners of Virginia in 1676 because he resented the Virginia's governor's friendly policies towards native Americans. Bacon was helping the African Americans as they endured attacks by natives and the Governor, William Berkeley refused to retaliate against the native attackers.
