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La Amistad
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Africans abducted by two Spanish men.
During February of 1839, two spanish men, Jose Ruiz and Pedro Montes, captured 53 Africans to sell them into the slave trade. -
The Amistad leaves Cuba,
At the end of June, the Africans were loaded onto a ship called the Amistad that was directed towards a sugar plantation in the Caribbean. -
The Africans take over the ship.
Shortly after the trip began, the Africans, who were lead by Joseph Cinque, revolted against their captors and took over the ship, killing the captain and a few crew memebers. They then demanded to be taken back to Africa. -
The Amistad is found near Long Island, NY.
Because Ruiz and Montes tried to turn the ship back in the original direction to the plantation, they ended up sailing into American waters. The ship was found by the US Navy Brig, Washington. -
Court cases regarding the Amistad begin.
After the ship and the men are transported to Connecticut, a trial ensues to determine what should happen to the Africans. They were being tried for the murders of the captain and crew members. The spanish men were being tried for illegally holding the Africans as slaves. -
The case against the Africans goes to the Supreme Court.
After being debated for a long period of time, the case against the Africans is sent to the Supreme Court for a final decision. Former US president, John Quincy Adams argues for their release and transportation back to Africa. -
The Africans are transported back to Africa.
After former president Adams argues the case for the Africans, it is ruled that because they were illegally enslaved, they would be sent back to Africa without any charges holding them in the US or Cuba.