Abolition

With the 13th Amendment, the Reconstruction Republicans achieved something that would have been unimaginable before the Civil War—immediate, uncompensated emancipation. Once the amendment was ratified, all enslaved persons were freed, and their former owners were not entitled to any compensation for the loss of their “property.”

Restricting slavery through the Northwest Ordinance, 1787
Emancipation Proclamation, 1863
Freedom and equality?
Dec 14, 1863
Rep. Ashley proposes abolition amendment in the House

Slavery or involuntary servitude, except in punishment of crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, is hereby forever prohibited in all the States of this Union, and in all Territories now owned, or which may hereafter be acquired by the United States.

Dec 14, 1863
Rep. Wilson proposes abolition amendment in the House

Slavery, being incompatible with a free government, is forever prohibited in the United States; and involuntary servitude shall be permitted only as a punishment for crime. Congress shall have power to enforce the foregoing section of this article by appropriate legislation.

Jan 11, 1864
Sen. Henderson proposes abolition amendment in the Senate

Slavery or involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime, shall not exist in the United States.

Feb 8, 1864
Sen. Sumner promotes equality

Everywhere within the limits of the United States, and of each State or Territory thereof, all persons are equal before the law, so that no person can hold another as a slave.

Jan 31, 1865
13th Amendment Final Text

Section One: 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 Two: Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.