The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. The Senate passed the amendment in April of 1864, and the House of Representatives passed it in February of 1865. To be ratified, 27 states (three-fourths of 36 states) had to pass the amendment. On December 6, 1865, Georgia cast the 27th vote for ratification
The text of the amendment follows:
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.