1. The Case of La Amistad

2. Here’s The Deal…
La Amistad was a Spanish schooner that was making the journey carrying kidnapped Africans from Cuba to the U.S. (They were transported from Africa to Cuba on the slave ship “The Tecora”)
During the trip, the Africans revolted and took control of the ship
While trying to sail back to Africa, the ship was captured by the U.S. Navy
The African “cargo” was brought to Connecticut and charged with Murder

3. The Problem…
In 1839, transporting slaves from Africa to America was illegal, so the Amistad captains lied and said the Africans were born in Cuba.
This would make the transport legal.

4. Claims…
The U.S. Navy said that as “salvage” from a shipwreck, the Africans should be their property
The Cuban buyers claimed they still had rights to the Africans they had paid for
Queen Isabella of Spain said that they were property of Spain since Cuba was a Spanish colony
Some believed that they were transported illegally and therefore should be free to return to Africa

5. The Court Case…
The court had to decide what to do with these 49 Africans…if they should go to Cuba, the Navy, Spain, or be free