History of the United States II / Unit 1 USH2 0004 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Thirteenth Amendment
Captions available
The idea
The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery throughout the United States, the first amendment added to the Constitution since eighteen oh four.
In practice
The Senate passing it in April eighteen sixty-four, the House in January eighteen sixty-five.
Where people slip
Its text keeps one exception: involuntary servitude remains lawful as punishment for a crime. Ratification was complete on December sixth, eighteen sixty-five.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it · Sources for History of the United States II