Abolitionist V. Slave Trade Documentary ~Pinckney Castle, Amistad: BlackHistoryUniversity.com

Summary

The Amistad revolt of 1839, led by Sengbe Pieh (Joseph Cinqué), became a pivotal moment in the abolitionist movement. Enslaved Africans, illegally transported on the Spanish schooner La Amistad, seized control of the ship after a daring revolt. Their case in the U.S. sparked national debate about slavery, culminating in a legal victory and the Africans' freedom. The incident highlighted the brutal conditions of the transatlantic slave trade, the moral and legal challenges of slavery, and the growing momentum of the abolitionist cause in America.

Takeaways

• 😀 The international slave trade was officially prohibited by the 1820s, but it continued illegally despite the laws, with British and US ships patrolling for illegal slave traders.
• 😀 La Amistad was a ship that carried 53 Africans who were brutally kidnapped, including four children. They were chained together in the hold, and one of the captives, Sing-Bé, led a revolt against the crew.
• 😀 The revolt aboard La Amistad resulted in the Africans seizing control of the ship, despite language barriers and the unfamiliar terrain they faced upon arriving in the Americas.
• 😀 The history of slavery in the Americas began with European settlers attempting to enslave Native Americans, but diseases decimated the native population, prompting a shift toward African slaves.
• 😀 The transatlantic slave trade was an incredibly profitable business. Around 15% of kidnapped Africans were brought to the United States as slaves, with many coming from agricultural societies with specialized knowledge of crops like rice.
• 😀 The Middle Passage was notorious for its inhumane conditions, with slaves shackled in cramped spaces below deck. Some ships, like the Brooks, had specific space allocations for each enslaved person, which were uncomfortably small.
• 😀 Disease, lice, fleas, and poor ventilation made the Middle Passage a death trap for many enslaved Africans. In some cases, crews threw Africans overboard to reduce the number of people to feed and accommodate.
• 😀 The ship La Amistad had insurance against revolts, which was a common practice in the slave trade industry. Lloyd's of London, for example, provided insurance for slave voyages.
• 😀 After the Amistad reached New London, a judge initially ruled to delay the trial, and a local abolitionist, Dwight P. James, helped to expose the illegal nature of the slave trade on the ship.
• 😀 Abolitionists across the US, including prominent figures like Lewis Tappan and Joshua Leavitt, rallied support to defend the Africans on the Amistad, raising funds and organizing legal teams to fight for their freedom.

Q & A

What was the legal status of the international slave trade by the 1820s?

By the 1820s, the international slave trade had been prohibited by the US and most European nations due to its profitability, but it continued almost unabated despite these laws.

How did the Africans on the La Amistad seize control of the ship?

The Africans on La Amistad, led by a man named Sing B.P., staged a bloody revolt against the crew. Despite facing communication challenges and being in a strange land, they managed to take control of the ship on a moonless night.

Why were Africans sometimes thrown overboard during the Middle Passage?

Africans were thrown overboard by the crew to reduce the number of mouths to feed and ensure enough provisions for the rest of the voyage, especially when food supplies were running low.

What was the significance of the Middle Passage in the transatlantic slave trade?

The Middle Passage refers to the horrific transatlantic journey where Africans were forcibly transported to the Americas. Conditions were brutal, with many slaves dying from disease, malnutrition, or being thrown overboard due to the overcrowded and unsanitary conditions.

What role did insurance play in the slave trade?

Insurance, particularly 'Revolt insurance,' was offered on slave ships to cover the loss of slaves during revolts or deaths. Companies like Lloyd's of London played a significant role in insuring these voyages.

What happened to the Africans who survived the Middle Passage on the Tora S?

After surviving the Middle Passage, the Africans were locked in holding pens in Havana Harbor, where they were fattened up and prepared for sale in the local slave markets.

How did the Africans on La Amistad organize their escape?

The Africans on La Amistad chose a leader named S, who managed to free himself using a loose nail. He then freed his friend Grabau, and together they began planning their escape, which ultimately led to the revolt.

How did the abolitionist community get involved in the Amistad case?

The abolitionist community became involved when Dwight P. James, a New London abolitionist, recognized that the Africans had been illegally trafficked. He wrote letters to prominent abolitionists like Roger Sherman Baldwin, leading to a larger campaign for the defense of the Africans aboard La Amistad.

What was the role of the judge in the Amistad trial?

Judge Andrew T. Judson conducted a hearing on the Amistad, determining the status of the Africans. He delayed the trial until the next meeting of the US Circuit Court to decide if they should stand trial for mutiny and murder.

What was the purpose of the Amistad Committee?

The Amistad Committee was formed by abolitionists like Joshua Levit, Simeon S. Joselyn, and Lewis Tappen to raise funds for the legal defense of the Africans aboard La Amistad and to promote their cause.