What was the Armistad controversy? And, what rold did it play in the abolition of slavery?

I think you mean the Amistad controversy, right?

http://www.google.com/search?q=amistad+controversy&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7SUNA

=)