United States v. Amistad

United States v. Amistad was a 1841 court case involving Africans who had been kidnapped and sold into slavery. They seized control of the Spanish ship La Amistad, intending to return home, but the U.S. captured the ship. The case centered on whether the Africans should be considered free or property. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Africans, affirming their legal right to fight for their freedom, and they were ultimately allowed to return to Africa. The case highlighted issues of slavery, human rights, and justice in the U.S. during that period.