13th Amendment
Definition
The 13th Amendment is a part of the U.S. Constitution that was ratified in 1865, which abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime.
Analogy
Think about it like an app update that removes a major bug. In this case, the 'bug' was the institution of slavery, and the 'update' was the 13th amendment - making sure that everyone's basic right to freedom wasn't compromised anymore.
Related terms
Emancipation Proclamation: An executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862 declaring slaves in Confederate territory free (though it didn’t immediately end slavery).
Abolitionism: A movement to end slavery that existed largely in the North during decades prior to Civil War and included famous abolitionists such as Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman.
Black Codes: Laws passed by Southern states after Civil War with intent to restrict African Americans' freedom and force them into labor due to low wages or debt.
"13th Amendment" appears in:
Study guides (3)
Practice Questions (1)
- What is the significance of the 13th Amendment?
Resources
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