2. The principal question was whether the Mende were property and part of the cargo of the Amistad or whether they were free people. What did the courts rule? What was their reasoning?

3. Did the courts strike down slavery in this case? Did they recognize the right of slaveholders to own slaves? When did this change?

4. What was the impact of the personal testimony of Cinque and the other Mende?

5. What role did the media play in the case? How did the abolitionists mobilize support for their cause? Did the publicity and media attention have an impact on the legal proceedings?

FOR OTHER QUESTIONS AND TEACHING MATERIALS, SEE:

• Federal Judicial Center, Amistad: The Federal Courts and the Challenge to Slavery — Teaching Activities, at http://www.fjc.gov/history/home.nsf/page/tu_amistad_activities.html.
• Federal Judicial Center, Amistad: The Federal Courts and the Challenge to Slavery — Legal Questions Before the Federal Courts, at http://www.fjc.gov/history/home.nsf/page/tu_amistad_questions.html.