Is the story of Amistad true?
While the film is loosely based on the true story of a group of Mende people from Sierra Leone, who in 1839 overpowered their Spanish captors aboard the slave ship La Amistad, it is largely a tale of white hero worship.
Where is the Amistad now?
The ship, currently docked at its home port of Long Wharf Pier at 389 Long Wharf Dr., is a recreation of the Spanish schooner La Amistad.
What year was the Amistad case?
1841
United States v. The Amistad/Dates decided
Who led the revolt on the Amistad?
Joseph Cinqué
Sengbe Pieh, a Mende man, also known as Joseph Cinqué, unshackled himself and the others on the third day and started the revolt. They took control of the ship, killing the captain and the cook. In the melee, three Africans were also killed.
Did John Quincy Adams help with the Amistad case?
Abolitionists enlisted former US president John Quincy Adams to represent the Amistad captives’ petition for freedom before the Supreme Court. Adams, then a 73-year-old US congressman from Massachusetts, had in recent years fought tirelessly against Congress’s “gag rule” banning anti-slavery petitions.
Who was president during Amistad?
Martin Van Buren
Martin Van Buren was President of the United States during the Amistad trial. The Amistad incident placed Van Buren in a precarious situation.
What happened to the Amistad slaves?
On August 29, 1839, the Amistad was towed into New London, Connecticut. The government charged the slaves with piracy and murder, and classified them as salvage property. The 53 Africans were sent to prison, pending hearing of their case before the U.S. Circuit Court in Hartford, Connecticut.
What is the movie Amistad about?
In 1839, the slave ship Amistad set sail from Cuba to America. During the long trip, Cinque (Djimon Hounsou) leads the slaves in an unprecedented uprising. They are then held prisoner in Connecticut, and their release becomes the subject of heated debate. Freed slave Theodore Joadson (Morgan Freeman) wants Cinque and the others exonerated and recruits property lawyer Roger Baldwin (Matthew McConaughey) to help his case. Eventually, John Quincy Adams (Anthony Hopkins) also becomes an ally.
Amistad/Film synopsis