The Depiction of Slavery and Reality of Enslaved in Amistad

The film Amistad was released on December 10th, 1997. This film vastly describes how enslaved africans rebelled aboard the small Spanish schooner, La Amistad, which ironically translates to the Spanish word for 'friendship.' Steven Spielberg performs an excellent job in recreating the Amistad revolt that spurred a series of trials which initially starts within the lower courts of Connecticut and ultimately ending in the Supreme Court. The very events following the revolt have raised specific polemic questions regarding slavery and freedom. Though it may be true that this case was vital for Abolitionists in their great fight against slavery. It does, however, conjointly questioned the natural laws of our Constitution.

As the film progresses to the trial of the Africans, Spielberg illustrates the horrors the slaves have endured and experienced as they were captured then dragged away from their own homes. This is greatly distressing to ascertain the cruelty that was obligatory for the slaves as they were captured. The slaves were then fettered and enchained, and packed in a unhygienic, overcrowded slave ship, and exposed to maltreatment, on the Portuguese slaver Tecora which would lead through the Middle Passage which lies in Cuba. Unfortunately roughly around a 3rd of the slaves died aboard the Tecora before it reached it's destination, this reason being that the crew was running short on food supplies they planned on giving the slaves. So they disposed slaves at random, throwing them overboard. Those remaining during the harsh annd rigorous trip were auctioned into slavery in Havana, Cuba.

The massacre on La Amistad culminates to the fatalities of both the captain and cook on board. The Africans did spared the lives of 2 Spaniards who were required to be an assistance in navigate the ship back to Africa. The enslaved africans had taken over the Amistad for just a brief moment before taken over by the U.S. Army. Ultimately capturing the Africans, and forcing them to face a court trial, on behalf of the charges of murder and mutiny. This trial was not only vital for the abolitionist movements, it also raised query towards our Judicial branch and what truly is just within a court case.