Introduction: What is the Amistad?  This is a question that many do not know the answer to.  The Amistad is simply the name of a ship, however the history and voyage of this ship is why it is important to our history.  In 1839,  53 African people were kidnapped from their homes and boarded upon a ship called the Amistad. These 53 Africans were to be sold into slavery, however the ship did not make it to its destination.  Joseph Cinque along with several other Africans took control of the Amistad.  In their attempt to sail back to Africa they ended up in Long Island Sound.  As a result the Amistad was taken into New Haven by the United States Navy.  What followed was a historical case set before the Supreme Court.  In this case former American President John Quincy Adams argued that all human beings were naturally free people and are entitled to that freedom under American law.  The case ended in the court agreeing with Adams and the Africans choosing to return back to their home land.

Task: You will decide whether the Africans will be set free or forced into slavery. You will use information from this time to convince the jury of your argument. Your argument must show clear evidence of your knowledge about the case. All information presented during trail must be accurate.  Each person will be assigned to either to one of the two groups involved in the trail.  Some will play the role of the greedy slave owners and other will play the role of the abolitionist.  Other members of the class will play the role of the court officials.  Roles are:

• Lawyers:
• Prosecution - This person will be responsible for representing the slaves owners in this case.  Each individual person is responsible for obtaining information for their group to make their argument stronger.  The lawyer will present information  gather by their group to the court.  All information presented must be accurate.
• Defense - This person is responsible for representing the abolitionists in this case. Each individual person is responsible for obtaining information for their group to make their argument stronger. They will present the information gather by their group.  All information presented must be accurate
• Courtroom Officials
• Judge - This person will make sure order is kept and information presented matches their own research of the case.
• Jury - These people will decide whose argument was more convincing and the fate of the africans.  They will compare each groups argument with their own collective research of the event.




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 Amistad America this a page that provides history about the Amistad and the events of the Amistad.  It also provides pictures of some of the Africans aboard the ship including Joseph Cinque aka Sengbe Pieh.

 Prepare Your Argument this page provides the argument of John Adams (abolitionist side) before the supreme court of the United States about the African.

  More About Amistad  this page also provides accounts of the events that took place.  It provides names and dates also.

 Looking For Some Law  this page includes laws, case code, supreme court opions and decisions about the Amistad.

 More For Your Argument  this page provide several  timelines full of facts.

  Give Us Free gives more history on the Amistad and the events.

  The Supreme Court this site tell about the supreme court, case handling rules etc.
 

1.  Each will brainstorm questions they feel are pertinent to their case
2.  After each group has formed questions they will conduct an internet search to find answers to questions.
3.  Each group will need to find facts about the case and check web sites against on another for clarity and accuracy.
4.  Each group will write a report supporting their argument of the case. Reports should include facts and sources that clearly support your argument.
5. As each group prepares for trial you will need to go back over your facts and make sure they are indeed factual.
6. As trial approaches each group will need to gather together evidence, consider procedure, and prepare for the actions you wish to use in court.
7.  When it is time to go to trial each group must dress for the role they will be playing.  Each group will need to bring important papers and practice your opening arguments.
8.  Each group will present their argument to the court.
9.  The court will decide based on the facts presented which group proved their case
10.  After a decision has been made each person will write a reflection of the issues that came to light during the case.

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Evaluation
 
 
 

Task	Unsatisfactory(1pts)	Satisfactory (2pts)	Excellent (3 pts)
Paper	Paper had no supporting facts of argument. Paper supplied no sources and  showed no position.	Paper presented accurate facts.  Paper included a maximum of three 3 to 4 facts with sources to support argument.  Paper showed position of group.	Paper presented accurate and detailed facts.  Paper included 5 to 10 facts and sources to support argument.  Paper showed clearly the position of the group and had a good argument.
Presentation of Facts (Trial)	Group presented no opening argument, facts or support for argument to the court. Group showed no knowledge of court proceeding or rules.	Group presented somewhat interesting opening argument, 3 to 4 four facts and evidence to support argument.  Group showed awareness of court proceeding and little knowledge of court rules.	Group presented interesting and well rehearsed opening argument.  The group presented 5 to 10 facts and evidence to support argument. Group was aware of court proceeding and showed knowledge of court rules.
Court Officials	Paper had no supporting facts of argument. Paper supplied no sources./Group showed no knowledge of court proceeding or rules.	Paper presented accurate facts.  Paper included a maximum of three 3 to 4 facts with sources to support argument./ Group showed awareness of court proceeding and little knowledge of court rules.	Paper presented accurate and detailed facts.  Paper included 5 to 10 facts./Group was aware of court proceeding and showed knowledge of court rules.

 

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Conclusion: In this activity, you have learned about the Amistad in great detail.  We have explored the many issues that surrounded this trial  and the events that tool place.  It is hoped that you have gained a clear understanding of the importance and the impact this event had on the history of America.