Which amendment abolished slavery in the United States?

The Thirteenth Amendment, ratified in 1865, is the key piece of legislation that abolished slavery in the United States. This amendment explicitly states that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime, shall exist within the United States or any place subject to their jurisdiction. The historical significance of this amendment lies in its role in formally ending the institution of slavery after the Civil War, a pivotal moment in American history that marked a major turning point toward civil rights.

Other amendments, such as the Fourteenth and Fifteenth, focus on granting citizenship rights and voting rights, respectively, while the Nineteenth Amendment addresses women's suffrage. However, none of these amendments had the direct purpose of abolishing slavery as the Thirteenth Amendment did. Understanding the scope and impact of the Thirteenth Amendment helps contextualize subsequent civil rights advancements in the United States.