Wednesday, September 7, 2016

The Amistad Rebellion

Author: Marcus Rediker
Stars: 2
Review by: Mandy Apgar


I haven't seen the movie so I can't speak for how accurate it is, but apparently the basic gist is - in 1839 Spanish slavers kidnapped several Africans in their native neighborhood. After several days at sea and subject to their tormentors four of the slaves rose up and killed several of their captors. They took control of the ship, the Amistad, but not knowing how to sail they kept a man alive. He managed to fool them into thinking they were going towards Africa when really they were heading into waters frequented by ships of his allies. One spotted them, took over, and the mutineers were tried, but spared. Defended by John Quincy Adams, it was found that they were merely protecting their original freedom and were sent, in relative luxury, back to Africa.
 

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