Amistad a historical ship

Amistad

Amistad is a historical ship that became famous during the slave revolt of 1839. It was a two-masted schooner owned by the Spanish colonizing Cuba. It carried captured Mende slaves and became infamous for its role in the slave revolt. The ship sank after the revolt, and the crew was hanged.

The Slave Revolt

The ship, carrying enslaved Africans, was seized on August 24, 1839, by the U.S. brig Washington. It was later taken to New London, CT, where the ship was docked. The plantation owners were freed, but the Africans remained in confinement. The case was heard in the Federal District Court in Connecticut. The plantation owners and the Spanish government both claimed they had the rightful owner of the slaves, and the captain of the ship claimed compensation.

The Abolitionist Movement

The Amistad incident played a major role in the abolitionist movement. It gave a focal point for abolitionists to unite around, and it focused attention on the conflict between slavery and widely held political and religious values. It also showed the humanity of the slaves, and their capacity for heroism.

Interpretations of Amistad

There are many interpretations of Amistad, including the movie by Spielberg. Many other stories feature the slaves of Amistad. This is a classic example of a powerful symbolic story. It explores the concept of freedom for the enslaved, and it's an example of the power of art.

Legal Defense and Extradition

Many of the Africans of Amistad were charged with piracy and murder. The charges were dropped, but many of the Africans remained in prison. The Spanish government claimed ownership of the slaves and Martin Van Buren wanted to extradite the Africans to Cuba. Several abolitionists in the North raised funds for their legal defense. They argued that the Africans had been illegally captured.

Impact and Significance

Amistad is one of the most famous slave revolts in history. It happened in 1839. Spanish slave traders kidnapped Mende Africans near Mendeland in Sierre Leone and sent them to Havana. There, two Spanish plantation owners bought the 53 African captives and transported them to Havana. The voyage was long, and nearly one-third of them died. Some died of starvation and other ailments.

Archives and Documents

The papers of artists, authors, educators, clergy, lawyers, farmers, and business people are also preserved in the archives. They serve as a positive symbol for abolition of slavery. These are important documents for students to understand. There are many ways to share this information. This website provides links to other websites.

Abuse and Opposition to Slavery

Despite the enslavement, the surviving slaves were purchased by Ruiz and Montes. They planned to take them to their sugar plantations in the region of Puerto Principe, which is now Camaguey. The slaves, however, were not provided with enough food to survive. In addition, they were often beaten for minor infractions.

Impact on Abolitionists

While the Amistad incident may have ended in a peaceful manner, it was an important case for abolitionists in the North. In addition to opposing the extradition of Africans to Cuba, abolitionists in the United States used the case to expose the dangers of slavery and to generate significant opposition to the practice.