Which amendment abolished slavery in the United States?

The 13th Amendment abolished slavery in the United States by officially outlawing the practice of involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. Ratified in December 1865, this amendment marked a significant turning point in American history, as it legally freed millions of enslaved individuals, thereby ending an institution that had been a core part of the nation's economy and social fabric for centuries. The passage of the 13th Amendment was a key outcome of the Civil War and a central component of the Reconstruction Era efforts to integrate formerly enslaved people into society as free citizens, with rights and protections under the law.

In contrast, the 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, granted African American men the right to vote, the 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, granted women the right to vote, and the 21st Amendment, ratified in 1933, repealed Prohibition. Each of these amendments addressed different civil rights issues, but none had the purpose of abolishing slavery. The significance of the 13th Amendment thus lies in its role as a foundational legal guarantee of freedom and human rights in the United States.