The 13th Amendment
Elementary School
The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
Student Activities:
What is the U.S. Constitution? Who wrote it? What is its purpose?
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What is an amendment? What is the purpose of an amendment? How many amendments are there to the
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Constitution?
What is meant by involuntary servitude? Why was it necessary for President Lincoln to introduce the
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resolution expressed in the 13th Amendment? How does this amendment compare to the Emancipation
Proclamation?
Why was an Amendment necessary to bring African Americans under the protection of the Constitution?
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(The Constitution treats slavery as a recognized practice. See US Constitution Article I, Sections 2 and 9
and Article IV, Section 2.) Research other amendments that further the rights of particular groups.
UnderHisHat.org 1 Middle School
The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
Research and Discussion: Ask students: In light of the Emancipation Proclamation why was it necessary to put the
13th Amendment into the Constitution? Have them identify the areas of the country where slavery was still allowed
that this Amendment would effect. Make sure they discuss the implications to the Border States.
Timeline to Ratification: Have students research and develop a timeline of the 13th Amendment from proposal to
ratification. Review the states that accept and reject the Amendment. Of the 36 states at the time: Illinois is 1st (the
following day) and Mississippi is last (1995) Suggested links:
http://13thamendment.harpweek.com/HubPages/CommentaryPage.asp?Commentary=05Results
http://www.usconstitution.net/constamrat.html
Debate or Persuasive Writing: Have students debate or write using the following prompts:
• The 13th Amendment was a betrayal of the loyalty of the Border States to the Union during the Civil War.
• The 13th Amendment was the capstone of the Civil War and the greatest legacy of Lincoln.
• The 13th Amendment was the most important document in U.S. History because it solidified one of the basic
principles that America was founded on, that “all men are created equal and endowed with inalienable
rights”.
Diary Entry: Challenge students to write a diary entry from the perspective of a freed slave after hearing of the
passing of the 13th Amendment. Express their emotions and plans for the future.
Extension Questions: Ask students, what state was the first to ratify the 13th Amendment? How does this act
reflect on the state as well as the support for Lincoln?
Discussion: Have students create a list of ways the 13th Amendment changed how our society functioned. Review
background knowledge, literature, movies, research, etc.
Government: The format on the 13th Amendment demonstrates the division of branches. Review the branches of
government and create a flow chart explaining the names as well as their purpose in government. Then have
students reflect how the branches of government impacted the 13th Amendment and its impact in the passing of
their goal.
Extended Response/Discussion: Ask students to reflect on the following: Should whites or any other race be
protected by the 13th Amendment against the same sort of discrimination as are African-Americans?
UnderHisHat.org 2 High School
The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
Research and Discussion: Ask students: In light of the Emancipation Proclamation why was it necessary to put the
13th Amendment into the Constitution? Have them identify the areas of the country where slavery was still allowed
that this Amendment would effect. Make sure they understand the implications to the Border States.
Timeline to Ratification: Have students research and develop a timeline of the steps from proposal to ratification of
the 13th Amendment. It is interesting to look at states that accept and reject the Amendment. Of the 36 states at the
time: Illinois is 1st (the following day) and Mississippi is last (1995) Suggested links:
http://13thamendment.harpweek.com/HubPages/CommentaryPage.asp?Commentary=05Results
http://www.usconstitution.net/constamrat.html
Debate or Persuasive Writing: Have students debate or write using the following prompts:
• The 13th Amendment was a betrayal of the loyalty of the Border States to the Union during the Civil War.
• The 13th Amendment was the capstone of the Civil War and the greatest legacy of Lincoln.
• The 13th Amendment was the most important document in U.S. History because it solidified one of the basic
principles that America was founded on, that “all men are created equal and endowed with inalienable rights”.
Diary Entry: Challenge students with the opportunity to write a diary entry from the perspective of a freed
slave after hearing of the passing of the 13th Amendment. Encourage students to express their emotions and
plans for the future.
UnderHisHat.org 3