Abolishing slavery
Ends slavery and involuntary servitude, with the text's criminal-punishment exception, and grants Congress enforcement power.
In Simple, Modern English
Section 1 bans slavery and forced servitude throughout the United States and places under its jurisdiction, except as punishment for a crime after a proper conviction.
Section 2 authorizes Congress to enforce the ban through appropriate laws.
Important Clauses & Details
Section 1: Abolition
The ban reaches slavery itself, including private conduct, rather than only discriminatory government action. It supersedes the fugitive-slavery provision in Article IV.
Exception and enforcement
The text preserves an exception for punishment after criminal conviction. Section 2 gives Congress authority to enact enforcement legislation.
Why It Was Added
The Civil War and abolition movement drove the demand to end slavery permanently. The Emancipation Proclamation did not by itself abolish slavery everywhere; a constitutional amendment provided a nationwide prohibition.
Abolishing slavery did not itself guarantee citizenship or voting rights; the 14th and 15th addressed those issues. The punishment exception is part of the text and should not be omitted.
Plain-English study paraphrases summarize the text; they are not verbatim translations. Historical provisions and later changes are identified above. Sources: National Archives and Constitution Annotated.