Federal Judicial Center
Amistad and Dred Scott—a Comparative Activity
What do slaves fighting for their freedom on board a ship and a slave fighting for his freedom in a courtroom have in common? Budding historians investigate the two different cases of the Amistad slave revolt and the Dred Scott argument....
Curated OER
Who Was Cinque?
Students examine the Amistad revolt and its significance in the American debate over slavery. They review and discuss period newspaper reports about the revolt.
Curated OER
Abolishing Slavery In America
High schoolers discover details about abolition. In this slavery lesson, students watch Abolishing Slavery in America and then conduct further research about the events that took place on the Zong and Amistad. High schoolers write essays...
Curated OER
Civil Rights/Segregation
Sixth graders investigate Civil Rights by participating in role-playing activities. In this U.S. History lesson, 6th graders research the history of slavery in order to portray a story through their debating and acting abilities. ...
Curated OER
Looking at Human Struggle Through The Language Arts Curriculum: The Faces of Slavery
Sixth graders examine the use of slavery in the United States. Using a map, they draw the route of the Tecora and Amistad voyages. Individually, they write an essay describing their opinions on whether the Africans on the ships should be...
Curated OER
The Amistad Case
Students analyze the Amistad case and how it impacted slavery in the United States. They, in groups, receive a document, answers the focus questions and presents their findings to the class.
Curated OER
The Amistad Case: A Mock Trial
Young scholars hold a mock trial. In this Amistad case activity, students prepare for and participate in a mock trial regarding the Amistad case and determine the fate of the Africans recovered on the ship.
Curated OER
Amistad Chapter Activity Worksheet
In this Amistad chapter questions worksheet, learners complete several chapters worth of questions that test their reading comprehension.
Curated OER
Amistad
Seventh graders explain the predicament of the slaves on the Amistad and the conditions that led them to revolt against their captors. After watching the movie 'Amistad,' students engage in a class discussion based on what they saw.
US National Archives
Nara: Teaching With Documents: The Amistad Case
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) provides background information for the Amistad case, several of the actual documents involved in the case, and teaching activities that correlate the information (at the bottom of...
University of Missouri
Famous Trials: Stamped With Glory: Lewis Tappan and the Africans of the Amistad
Read about Lewis Tappan, "an abolitionist and devout Christian," and his participation with the Amistad trial. Providing detailed information and original documents, this is an excellent resource on Tappan and his efforts to expedite...
University of Missouri
Famous Trials: Amistad Trials
This site discusses the history and significance of the Amistad trial. Make sure to click on the "cont." link for more information on the history of the case.
US National Archives
National Archives: u.s. V. Amistad: A Case of Jurisdiction
Students will review the Amistad case and use passages from the case explore the concept of jurisdiction and how a case travels through the federal court system. Also, included are links to the background of the Amistad case, a...
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: John Quincy Adams: Life After the Presidency
Perhaps John Quincy Adams' most important service to his country came after he was president. Read about his terms as Congressman in the House of Representatives.
Other
History of the Federal Judiciary
Incredibly in-depth site regarding the history of the federal judiciary. Well organized, easy to navigate, and crisply arranged, this site can be used for many lessons. The accuracy of the information is very reliable since its author...
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Slavery and the Making of America: Slave Responses to Enslavement
Using primary documents, oral histories, and other historical resources, learn how African Americans responded to enslavement prior to the Civil War. Includes interactive exercise.
University of Missouri
Famous Trials: Amistad: Lewis Tappan
A short essay on the life of abolitionist Lewis Tappan and his involvement with the Amistad case.
Library of Congress
Loc: Slavery the Peculiar Institution
Using primary sources, explore the slavery system in the South. Sources include advertisements for slaves, pictures of slave ships, the Supreme Court decision in the Amistad case, spiritual freedoms, journal entries, and pamphlets.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams was an enigmatic figure. Find out about the progressive ideas he had for the federal government under his presidency, but also read some quotes about how he felt about true democracy.
US National Archives
Docsteach: u.s. V. Amistad: A Case of Jurisdiction
Learners will analyze specified passages from the Supreme Court's decision in United States v. Libellants of Schooner Amistad to explore the concept of jurisdiction and how a case travels through the federal court system.
Read Works
Read Works: Sailing for Freedom
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about African slaves who rebelled and overtook their slave ship the Amistad. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: North Carolina
Help discover more about "the story of the lost colony of Roanoke Island." Why did the Wright Brothers fly at Kitty Hawk? Learn more about North Carolina from the Library of Congress website.
Smithsonian Institution
National Portrait Gallery: The Amistad Case:
Pictures and text from the Smithsonian Institute about the 1839 slave rebellion on the slave ship, The Amistad and the ensuing trial of the 36 Africans involved in the rebellion.
Other
The Amistad Committee: Yale, Slavery & Abolition
This essay explores Yale University's relationship to slavery. It seeks to answer questions such as why did Yale name most of its colleges after slave owners and pro-slavery leaders? Included is a downloadable PDF, timeline, map of Yale,...