The 13th Amendment

Text of Amendment 13

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.

Explanation and Purpose

     The purpose of this amendment was to end slavery in the United States of America.  The importing of slaves would now be illegal.  This amendment was very necessary for the growth of the U.S.  Abraham Lincoln proposed this amendment because slavery was causing a war in America and it was splitting it apart.

Current Applications and Historical Background

     This amendment was created and approved in 1865.  This agreement ended the Civil War.  Abraham Lincoln wanted to end slavery to bring the nation back together again.  This amendment is really important today so we can bring different races togehter.  We have grown into a great country with all different races come together as one.  Here are a couple videos I found and made to show you what slavery could have done to our country.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaflK3Kg4aM