Amistad

Maria Ramirez Period 7 Word count 602 The Amistad The Amistad was a significant historical event that eventually led to important outcomes like the awareness of slavery and the encouragement of public opinion. The Amistad was a Spanish slave ship used in the 1800’s. On June 27, 1839, The Amistad left the port of Havana, Cuba with Captain Ransom Ferrer and two passengers, Jose Ruiz and Pedro Montez. Along with fifty-three African American slaves from the Mende tribe in Sierra Leone, “Ruiz had forty-nine negroes; Montez had four negroes” which were stated to be property and were unlawfully and forcefully taken from their homes to be sold as slaves in Cuba (Justia, 1841). The African Americans revolted, they “Armed themselves with cane knives”
The African Americans were naive and ignorant about how to steer a boat, therefore, they couldn’t figure out that the passengers, Ruiz and Montez, were deceiving them, making them think they were steering towards Africa, yet steering the boat toward the United States. Arriving in the state of New York, some of the African Americans went looking for supplies like water and food. The United States Brig, Washington, discovered the ship. On August 26, “The plantation owners were free, and the slaves were taken into custody” by Lieutenant Thomas Gedney, commander of the Washington State Bar of Georgia, 2018. He took possession of the Amistad and the African Americans with the assistance of his officers. They brought everything to the District of Connecticut, where Ruiz and Montez claimed their slaves to be their property. Ruiz and Montes wanted the slaves, and parts of the cargo, to be delivered to them. The attorney in Connecticut stated that Spain's Minister claimed the ship, cargo, and slaves should be returned since the U.S. must give them back according to a treaty between the U.S. and
president, John Quincy Adams, and granted them the right to be transported back to Africa (Justia, 1841). “Thirty-five of the survivors were returned to their homeland (the others died at sea or in prison while awaiting trial).” It was a complex process, but many of The Amistad captives were able to return to their homes (National Archives, 2021). The success of this event made their fight for freedom known to the people, it began to be taught in schools, written in documentaries, and there are even movies retelling the story of the significant historical event, The Amistad. They made people aware of the horrible, inhuman treatment of slaves, but also encouraged others to fight for their opinions and rights. Despite being captive, the African Americans stood their ground and fought for their rights and freedom by revolting and killing Captain Ransom