Amendment XIII

"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. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation."

This amendment is incredibly important and represents so much of early American History. The thirteenth amendment outlaws the practice of slavery and indentured servitude, effectively destabilizing Southern economy. Freeing millions of black slaves, this amendment was passed as a direct result of the conclusion of the American Civil War and represented one of the end goals that the Union was fighting for and the Confederacy was fighting against.

People tend to think of slavery as having existed long ago, but the reality of the situation is that the abolishment of slavery is still a relatively new decision in human history. Slavery built the United States and was a large factor in the initial building of its economy as well. This flyer shows a sale in which a seller is trying to sell 94 new slaves. This took place in 1769, only 250 years ago.

This powerful picture illustrates a slave breaking their chains after the ratification of the 13th amendment and finally experiencing what it means to be a free man in the United States of America.