13th Amendment

Abolition of Slavery

The 13th Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. The Senate passed the amendment in April 1864, settling on language with bipartisan appeal. The House then rejected it. Following battlefield victories and Lincoln’s reelection, Congress reconsidered, approving it in January 1865. It was ratified December 6, 1865.

Special thanks to Kurt Lash from the University of Richmond School of Law for sharing his research and expertise. Kurt Lash, The Reconstruction Amendments: Essential Documents (University of Chicago Press, 2019).

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13th Amendment Final Text

By passing the 13th Amendment, the Reconstruction Republicans achieved something that would have been unimaginable before the Civil War—immediate, uncompensated emancipation. The Senate passed the amendment in April 1864 (38-6), but it failed in the House that June. The House later passed it (119-56), and it was sent to the states for ratification. Upon its adoption, all enslaved persons were freed, and their former owners were not entitled to any compensation.

The 38th Congress met during the second half of the Civil War. Members represented states in the North, border states that did not leave the Union, and two new states: West Virginia and Nevada.

January 31, 1865
38th Congress
Final Amendment

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.

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13th Amendment Final Text

The 38th Congress met during the second half of the Civil War. Members represented states in the North, border states that did not leave the Union, and two new states: West Virginia and Nevada.

January 31, 1865
38th Congress
Final Amendment

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

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13th Amendment Final Text

The 38th Congress met during the second half of the Civil War. Members represented states in the North, border states that did not leave the Union, and two new states: West Virginia and Nevada.

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January 31, 1865
38th Congress
Final Amendment

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

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The First Amendment

13th Amendment

Abolition of Slavery

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Timeline Key

1787

Event — July 13, 1787

Congress adopts Northwest Ordinance

Event

July 13

1787

Congress adopts Northwest Ordinance

1808

Event — January 1, 1808

Congress bans international slave trade

Event

January 1

1808

Congress bans international slave trade

1860

Event — November 6, 1860

Election of 1860

Event

November 6

1860

Election of 1860

1861

Event — August 6, 1861

Congress attacks slavery

Event

August 6

1861

Congress attacks slavery

1863

Event — January 1, 1863

Lincoln issues Emancipation Proclamation

Event

January 1

1863

Lincoln issues Emancipation Proclamation

1863

Event — November 19, 1863

Lincoln delivers Gettysburg Address

Event

November 19

1863

Lincoln delivers Gettysburg Address

1863

Draft — December 14, 1863

Rep. Wilson proposes abolition amendment in the House

1863

Draft — December 14, 1863

Rep. Ashley proposes abolition amendment in the House

1863

Ratification process — December 14, 1863

Representatives introduce abolition amendments in the House

Ratification

December 14

1863

Representatives introduce abolition amendments in the House

1863

Representatives introduce abolition amendments in the House

1864

War Democrat Henderson introduces abolition amendment in the Senate

1864

Senate passes the amendment

1864

Amendment fails in House

1865