Read the excerpt from an 1839 newspaper report on the Spanish vessel *Amistad* and answer the question below.
"On the night of the 2nd of July, the captives on board the *Amistad*, under the command of Cinqué, rose upon the crew, killed the captain and cook, and took possession of the vessel. They directed the course of the ship toward Africa, but were deceived by the Spaniards, who steered north during the night, leading to the ship's eventual capture near New York."
Which of the following historical conclusions is best supported by the events described in the excerpt?
- Enslaved Africans actively exercised agency and resisted their captivity during the transatlantic voyage.Answer
- BCaptives generally remained passive and relied on European legal advocates to secure their freedom.
- CMiddle Passage resistance was limited to covert, daily actions rather than organized, physical mutinies.
- DThis shipboard rebellion was directly coordinated with Nat Turner's land-based uprising in Virginia.
Answer
Enslaved Africans actively exercised agency and resisted their captivity during the transatlantic voyage.
The correct answer is correct because the capture of the Amistad by its captives is a direct, historical example of enslaved Africans exercising agency and physical resistance to escape captivity and return to Africa.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Shipboard Rebellions and Middle Passage Resistance
Estimated Time:50s