Congress passed the 13th Amendment on January 31st, 1865. It was ratified on December 6th, 1865. The 13th Amendment abolished slavery in the United States and makes sure that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except in case of a crime, will be allowed in the U.S.
In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. This declared that "slaves in any state that is in rebellion against the United States shall be forever free." However, it did not effectively end slavery. Lincoln realized that his Proclamation would need to be followed by a Constitutional Amendment to guarantee abolishment of slavery.
The 13th Amendment was passed at the end of the Civil War. Because the southern states had not rejoined the Union, it should have easily passed the Congress. The Senate passed it in April, 1864, but, the House did not. Then, Lincoln encouraged the Congress to pass it. He insisted that the 13th Amendment should be added to the Republican Party Platform. His efforts and triumphs ewere successful when the House of Representatives passed the bill on January, 1865. When the 13th Amendment was passed by Congress, and later by the states, the U.S. finally saw an end to slavery, 89 years later after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. This declared that "slaves in any state that is in rebellion against the United States shall be forever free." However, it did not effectively end slavery. Lincoln realized that his Proclamation would need to be followed by a Constitutional Amendment to guarantee abolishment of slavery.
The 13th Amendment was passed at the end of the Civil War. Because the southern states had not rejoined the Union, it should have easily passed the Congress. The Senate passed it in April, 1864, but, the House did not. Then, Lincoln encouraged the Congress to pass it. He insisted that the 13th Amendment should be added to the Republican Party Platform. His efforts and triumphs ewere successful when the House of Representatives passed the bill on January, 1865. When the 13th Amendment was passed by Congress, and later by the states, the U.S. finally saw an end to slavery, 89 years later after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The 13th Amendment is divided into two sections.
Sections 1 & 2Section 1: The first section states that slavery and involuntary servitude won't be allowed in the United States.
Section 2: The second section states that congress could make laws and enforce them. |
Primary TextSection 1: "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."
Section 2: "Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation." |