The Hidden History of the Amistad Rebellion

On Thursday, August 15, Dr. Marcus Rediker, author of The Amistad Rebellion: An Atlantic Odyssey of Slavery and Freedom, discussed the well-known story of the Amistad but this time, it was from the side of the slaves. The lecture, hosted by Connecticut's Old State House and co-sponsored by Connecticut Explored, was part of the "Conversations at Noon" series. The rebellion is one of the best-known events in the history of American slavery, but it is told mostly from the elitist perspective of the judges, politicians, and abolitionists involved in the case. In this highly original account, Rediker reclaimed the rebellion for the African rebels who risked death to stake a claim for freedom and how it changed the struggle against slavery. Professor Rediker, spoke about his book and about his recent trip to Sierra Leone, the homeland of the Amistad Africans, where he interviewed village elders about the uprising. He reframed the story to show how the small group of courageous men fought and won an epic battle against Spanish and American slaveholders and their governments. He reminded the audience that the opening trial that took place in the same room he was speaking from. After his presentation, he was joined by Dr. Robert Wolff, Professor of History at Central Connecticut State University and Tammy Denease, a living history performer who portrays Margru, one of the children on board the Amistad. The Connecticut Network's Diane Smith moderated the panel discussion that covered everything from the Africans return to Sierra Leone to how the event affected the abolitionist movement across the state. This lecture was part of the "Conversations at Noon" series that the Old State House hosts every month. This free, open to the public series connects significant historical events to current modern issues.