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Amistad Slavery
Portuguese slavers kidnap hundreds of Africans from Mende Land. -
Amistad Slavery
Africans are brought to Havana, Cuba on the slave ship, Tecora. Many died on the voyage. -
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Amistad Slavery
After buying the Africans, two planters named Ruiz and Montes illegally get passports to transport the Africans to their plantations in Cuba. -
Amistad Slavery
Ruiz and Montes take their 53 slaves to the Amistad, -
Amistad Slavery
Joseph Cinque, the slave leader, frees himself and others and they get arms. They killed the captain and took control of the ship. -
Amisatd Slavery
The ship ends up off the coast of New York. -
Amistad Slavery
The Amistad is seized by the USS Washington and towed to New London, CT. -
Amistad Slavery
Ruiz and Montes demand that the federal district judge return their slaves. The judge refers the matter to the U.S. Circuit Court. The slaves are taken to jail. -
Amistad Slavery
The Spanish minister demands that the Africans be taken back to Cuba to be tried for mutiny. -
Amistad Slavery
Abolishionists form the Amistad committee to represent the Africans. -
Amistad Slavery
The first trial begins in U.S. Circuit Court. -
Amistad Slavery
Judge denies the Africans freedom. -
Amistad Slavery
Second trial in federal district court. Cinque and several Africans testify that they are not Cubans and tell how they were kidnapped in Africa and transported. -
Amistad Slavery
The judge decides that the Africans were illegally enslaved and requests that the president have them taken back to America. The judge also says he can't rule on the murder and piracy charges. The president and the Spanish both file appeals -
Amistad Slavery
U.S.Supreme Court hearing begins. The Africans are represented by former president, John Quincy Adams. -
Amistad Slavery
Justice Story wrote the decision of the court stating that the Africans should be freed. -
Amistad Slavery
35 Africans left New York and returned to their homes.