Learning Exercise
The Amistad Trials
The trials of the Africans on board the Amistad shaped national opinion about slavery and had increasing impact on polarizing the nation.
Course: United States History
- Material:
- Exploring Constitutional Law
- Date last modified:
- August 3, 2009
- Created by:
- William Paquette
- License:
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This is a site for law students. It includes notes about important constitutional issues, links to Supreme Court... see more
Exercise
Instructions: CLICK "go to material." SCROLL to the bottom of the page. CLICK "Famous Trials." CLICK "Amistad Trials." READ "The Trial Account" by Douglas Linder. Answer the following questions: 1. Describe the background of the travels of the ship Amistad from contemporary newspaper accounts, 2. Who were the key figures in the trial and explain the connection of each one to the Amistad?, 3. How many people were actually involved in the trial?, 4. Summarize the trial testimony for and against the accussed, 5. Summarize the Supreme Court's opinion on Janury 1841 regarding the Amistad, 6. What role did the Lewis Tappan letter play in the trial?, 7. Was the trial fair?, 8. What was the verdict?, 9. How did the verdict affect the Africans on trial?, 10. How did the trial affect the slavery question in the United States?
Disciplines
- Humanities / History / Area Studies / Americas / United States / 1789-1865