"The slave revolt on the ship Amistad in 1839 was a crucial event in the early abolitionist movement in the United States. When the vessel arrived in America, a fierce debate began about whether the Africans were free or enslaved and whether they should be allowed to return to Africa. The argument became a legal battle that eventually ended up in the U.S. Supreme Court, with former president John Quincy Adams representing the Africans. This remarkable story and its repercussions are presented, ... replete with images to complement the narrative and a timeline that summarizes key events"--Provided by publisher.