La Amistad Revolt by

February 1839

touketsu — 2014-04-09 15:45:38 UTC

Large group of Africans captured by Portuguese slave hunters in Sierra Leone and taken to Havana, Cuba

June 28, 1839

touketsu — 2014-04-09 15:47:58 UTC

Two Spanish men purchase 53 Africans as slaves and put them on the ship Amistad headed to Puerto Principe, Cuba

July 1, 1839

touketsu — 2014-04-09 15:49:36 UTC

One slave frees himself and all the others and mutinied against the Spanish crew of the ship.

Sengbe Pieh AKA Cinque

touketsu — 2014-04-09 15:50:38 UTC

The slave who freed himself and the others on July 1st, then lead a mutiny.

Headed to the United States

touketsu — 2014-04-09 15:51:45 UTC

After the mutiny, the two Spanish men were captured and ordered to sail the ship back to Africa. They complied during the day, then at night made sure the ship went towards United States waters.

August 24, 1839

touketsu — 2014-04-09 15:53:29 UTC

The ship Amistad is seized by Americans near Long Island. The slaves are also seized, as they are considered property/cargo.

Imprisonment

touketsu — 2014-04-09 15:55:01 UTC

The Africans are arrested and charged with murder. Though the charges were later dropped, they spent quite a bit of time in prison.

Arguments

touketsu — 2014-04-09 15:56:25 UTC

President Van Buren was in favor of extraditing the Africans to Cuba to face trial for murder, but American abolitionists opposed this view. There was then a trial, which ruled the claim of property was invalid due to the Africans being illegally held as slaves. It was decided that they should be given free passage back to Africa.

Appeals

touketsu — 2014-04-09 15:58:22 UTC

President Van Buren disagreed with this ruling and appealed it, but it was upheld. Still unhappy, Van Buren appealed AGAIN, but it was upheld AGAIN. The slaves were allowed passage back to Africa, but only 35 made it home. The rest died either at sea or in prison awaiting trial.

Don Jose Ruiz and Don Pedro Montez

touketsu — 2014-04-09 16:00:36 UTC

The two Spanish men who bought the Africans as slaves for workers on a Carribean plantation.

President Van Buren

touketsu — 2014-04-09 16:01:33 UTC

The eighth President of the United States. Wanted to send the Africans to Cuba, but was opposed greatly.