Amistad book review essays

Amistad book review essays The novel Amistad is one that discusses a group of slaves that were originally transported from Africa by Spanish traders employed by Queen Isabella II. These traders, however, claimed that these slaves came from Havanna, Cuba. The book reveals that these slaves were not unaccustomed to slavery in their own country. Cinque said at one point that there were some people who were enslaved because of debts or other such problems. He knew that he did not want to be a slave in America because of the way that he would be treated, and he was somewhat ashamed to say that in his country, his people had been enslaved as well. Cinque knew that slavery was wrong and that he would not like to be one because of the mistreatment that they received in America and in other places. It seems like a double standard that these transported slaves were used to the idea of slavery in their own country, but thought that it was unfair for anyone else to make them slaves. During the trial, the prosecutor also believed that this was a little strange and he tried to use it against them to say that slavery was not wrong; it was a part of life in the entire world. Cinque was the speaker for the rest of the slaves that had been transported and he told an account of what his people had to go through while they were on the ship called Amistad and even before that when they were on the original ship called the Tecora. They were brought to America on the vessel La Amistad and were supposed to be sold. The treatment on the Tecora was not pleasant at all any many slaves died in ways that were much more than torturous. Living space was tight and very confined and with that many people shoved that close together, sickness rampaged. Food was scarce and those who were lucky enough to receive food were only sustained long enough to be beaten later, sometimes to thei ...

Battle of Poitiers in the Hundred Years War

Battle of Poitiers in the Hundred Years War Battle of Poitiers - Conflict: The Battle of Poitiers occurred during the Hundred Years War (1137-1453). Battle of Poitiers - Date: The Black Princes victory took place on September 19, 1356. Commanders Armies: England Edward, Prince of Wales, a.k.a. The Black PrinceJean de Grailly, Captal de Buchapproximately 6,000 men France King John IIDuke de Orleansapproximately 20,000 men Battle of Poitiers - Background: In August 1356, Edward, Prince of Wales, better known as the Black Prince, began a large scale raid into France from his base in Aquitaine. Moving north, he conducted a scorched earth campaign as he sought to ease pressure on English garrisons in northern and central France. Advancing to the Loire River at Tours, his raid was stopped by an inability to take to the city and its castle. Delaying, Edward soon had word that the French king, John II, had disengaged from operations against the Duke of Lancaster in Normandy and was marching south to destroy the English forces around Tours. Battle of Poitiers - The Black Prince Makes a Stand: Outnumbered, Edward began retreating back towards his base at Bordeaux. Marching hard, King John IIs forces were able to overtake Edward on September 18 near Poitiers. Turning, Edward formed his army into three divisions, led by the Earl of Warwick, the Earl of Salisbury, and himself. Pushing Warwick and Salisbury forward, Edward placed his archers on the flanks and retained his division and an elite cavalry unit, under Jean de Grailly, as the reserve. To protect his position, Edward arrayed his men behind a low hedge, with marsh to left and his wagons (formed as a barricade) to the right. Battle of Poitiers - The Longbow Prevails: On September 19, King John II moved to attack Edwards forces. Forming his men into four battles, led by Baron Clermont, Dauphin Charles, the Duke of Orleans, and himself, John ordered an advance. The first to move forward was Clermonts force of elite knights and mercenaries. Charging toward Edwards lines, Clermonts knights were cut down by a shower of English arrows. The next to attack were the Dauphins men. Advancing forward, they were constantly harried by Edwards archers. As they neared, the English men-at-arms attacked, nearly encircling the French and forcing them to retreat. As the Dauphins broken forces retreated they collided with the Duke of Orleans battle. In the resulting chaos, both divisions fell back on the king. Believing the fight to be over, Edward ordered his knights to mount to pursue the French and dispatched Jean de Graillys force to attack the French right flank. As Edwards preparations were nearing completion, King John approached the English position with his battle. Moving out from behind the hedge, Edward attacked Johns men. Firing into the French ranks, the archers expended their arrows and then picked up weapons to join the fight. Edwards assault was soon supported by de Graillys force riding in from the right. This attack broke the French ranks, causing them to flee. As the French fell back, King John II was captured by English troops and turned over to Edward. With the battle won, Edwards men began tending to the wounded and pillaging the French camps. Battle of Poitiers - Aftermath Impact: In his report to his father, King Edward III, Edward stated that his casualties were only 40 killed. While this number was probably higher, English casualties in the fighting were minimal. On the French side, King John II and his son Philip were captured as were 17 lords, 13 counts, and five viscounts. In addition, the French suffered approximately 2,500 dead and wounded, as well as 2,000 captured. As a result of the battle, England demanded an exorbitant ransom for the king, which France refused to pay. The battle also showed that superior English tactics could overcome greater French numbers. Selected Sources: The Battle of PoitiersBritish Battles: Battles of Poitiers History of War: Battle of Poitiers