Thirteenth Amendment

The 13th Amendment to the Constitution abolished slavery and was ratified on December 6, 1865. Learn more about the Reconstruction Amendments. 

Section 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.