Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution

Amendment XIII (the Thirteenth Amendment) of the United States Constitution states:

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.

Interpretation and history

This amendment was responsible for the abolition of slavery.

http://www.archives.gov/exhibit_hall/charters_of_freedom/constitution/amendments_11-27.html#13