13th Amendment

The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1865, abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States, except as punishment for a crime. It means that no person can be legally forced to work against their will simply because they are considered property. The amendment was a fundamental step toward ending forced labor and discrimination, establishing the principle that all individuals have the right to freedom and autonomy. It legally freed millions of enslaved people and laid the groundwork for future civil rights protections.