13th Amendment

13th Amendment

Passed by Congress  January 31, 1865, and ratified on December 6, 1865

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.

Breakdown...

This Amendment:

• Freed the slaves, and eliminated forced involuntary labor.

Does not include:

• Labor of convicted criminals
• Military service for those drafted
• Jury duty

These images depict African Americans who joined the North side of the Civil War. What a lot of people do not know is while the war was raging in 1861, before the 13th Amendment was passed, when slaves escaped their Southern masters, a lot of white men in the North would return the slaves to the South, back to their masters for a sum of money. When slaves were returned their masters would usually beat them and usually kill them. However sometimes an escaped slave would have the option to either join in the fight for the North, or be returned to their masters. These Aftrican Americans, some which volunteered, were seen as expendable soldiers, someone to do the dirty work. In a sence they traded one kind of slavery for the next.


This image depicts that although slavery in a sence was abolished, there arose a new slavery inside the economy. What do you define slavery as? I define it as to be forced to work in order to allow yourself and family the basic needs of life. To be seen as less of an individual than the person you work for, to be seen by that person as a means of more income/property. The idea of Freedom and Justice for all remains part of our Country's ego. However this is, and will always be an idea not a fact. The 13th Amendment did not solve the slavery issue, however it allowed the African American race a chance to choose who they wished to serve.