Amistad

In my American Government class I recently had the opportunity to watch the film Amistad, staring Matthew McConaughey, Morgan Freeman, Anthony Hopkins, and directed by Steven Spielberg. This gripping adaptation of a miraculous true story, tells of a group of slaves bound for Cuba who revolted and took control over the ship La Amistad. The slaves were armed with cane knives and were able to overthrow the crew and hold the Captain hostage. They demanded that the Captain sail for Africa. The captain was deceiving and lied to the slaves about which direction they were sailing. The boat ended up traveling north towards the continental United States. They reached Long Island and were captured by the United States Navy. The salves were captured and sent to Connecticut where they were to be sold as slaves. A court battle ensued about the true origins of the slaves. There were many claims as to who should reap the profits of the slaves should they be sold. In the movie ownership is claimed on behalf of Queen Isabella of Spain (ironically the slave trade had been outlawed in Spain but not Cuba), two Cuban merchants, and the leaders of the American ship who captured La Amistad. There was also some question as to the origins of the ship. Eventually the lead attorney on the case discovers a manifest that shows that the salves are actually from Africa and were transported to Cuba and then arrived in America which violated current laws that outlawed the Atlantic slave trade in the United States. The case has national ramifications and is repealed to the Supreme Court by the current President Martin Van Buren. Because Van Buren was currently on the campaign trail any act of anti-slavery could have damaged his possibilities of re-election. In the end of the film they are able to reprove their case again and the slaves are able to return home.

As I reflect on the movie I am amazed by the historical significance that this event had. Not only was it an important victory for abolitionists but it was also was another step towards increased sectionalism between North and South. The film repeatedly speaks about the coming war, although the Civil War would not take place for another 20 years the grounds for it were set long in advance. The film addresses important points about the nature of slavery. In Africa salves were not captured by the merchants who transported them across the sea but rather by their neighboring villagers. In exchange the capturing tribe received guns; in order to protect themselves from slavery other tribes needed guns, so they in turn engaged in slavery. Another important point addressed is the absolutely appalling nature of the slave trade. As we have often discussed in class there are three themes of slavery, violence, terror, and death. All three of these themes were addressed in the movie. Some of the first scenes we observe are of the awful conditions of the slave ships. The slaves are chained together in cramped conditions. It is difficult to imagine being aboard a salve ship. Later we observe the meager rations that were given to slaves while being transported. In the movie only a select few are given a mess of a meal that looks awful to eat. The captains of the ship also dump some of the salves overboard when they realize that they do not have enough rations for all. This practice is truly appalling. The final element that shocked me was the fact that although the salve trade had been outlawed in most countries. But the salve trade continued to occur even though great efforts were employed to stop it. The film as a whole was deeply moving and I would recommend it to all.