Passed by Congress January 31, 1865. Ratified December 6, 1865.

A portion of Article IV, Section 2,of the Constitution was superseded by this amendment.

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.