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Civil War · 1864-1865

Ending Slavery: The 13th Amendment

In the middle of the Civil War, Congress voted on a constitutional amendment to abolish slavery. It needed two-thirds of each chamber. The Senate cleared that bar in April 1864; the House fell short in June and passed it on a second try in January 1865.

Resulting law: 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

The joint resolution proposing the 13th Amendment, signed by President Lincoln and members of Congress
The joint resolution proposing the 13th Amendment, signed by President Lincoln and members of Congress. Photo: National Archives (public domain).

From event to law

Who voted to abolish slavery, and who changed their vote? Open any vote below to see every legislator.

  1. EventJanuary 1, 1863

    Emancipation Proclamation

    President Lincoln declared enslaved people free in areas in rebellion. It did not reach the border states or end slavery by law.

  2. VoteApril 8, 1864

    Senate passes the amendment

    S.J. Res. 16 passes the Senate with more than the two-thirds required.

    Senate, 38th Congress, roll call 134

    38 yea6 nayPassedTwo-thirds needed: 30 of 44
    PartyYeaNay
    Republican310
    Democrat25
    Unconditional Unionist40
    Unionist11
    See how every senator voted
  3. VoteJune 15, 1864

    House falls short

    A majority of the House votes yes, but not the two-thirds a constitutional amendment requires.

    House, 38th Congress, roll call 348

    95 yea66 nayFailedTwo-thirds needed: 108 of 161
    PartyYeaNay
    Republican771
    Democrat459
    Unconditional Unionist120
    Unionist06
    Ind. Republican20
    See how every representative voted
  4. EventNovember 8, 1864

    Election of 1864

    Lincoln is reelected on a platform that called for the amendment.

  5. VoteJanuary 31, 1865

    House passes the amendment

    On reconsideration, the House passes the same resolution and sends it to the states.

    House, 38th Congress, roll call 480

    119 yea56 nayPassedTwo-thirds needed: 117 of 175
    PartyYeaNay
    Republican840
    Democrat1450
    Unconditional Unionist160
    Unionist36
    Ind. Republican20
    See how every representative voted
  6. LawDecember 6, 1865

    Ratified

    Three-fourths of the states ratify. Secretary of State William Seward certifies the amendment on December 18, 1865.

Look up the votes

Party labels are those used at the time of the vote. The parties' coalitions and positions have changed over time, so a party name in 1864 or 1919 does not map directly onto the party today.

Sources

Tallies count members recorded as voting yea or nay. Official counts printed at the time can differ by a vote or two because of pairs and later corrections.