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Amendment XIII: Slavery abolished
In plain English
Abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime.
A portion of Article IV, section 2, of the Constitution was superseded by the 13th amendment.
Original text
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.
Plain-English summaries are simplified for learning. Courts interpret these words in detail; this is general information, not legal advice.
Source: National Archives