Which amendment abolished slavery?

The Thirteenth Amendment is significant as it formally abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States. Ratified in December 1865, this amendment marked a pivotal moment in American history following the Civil War. It not only freed enslaved individuals but also ensured that slavery would not exist in any form in the United States, thereby laying the groundwork for future civil rights advancements. The language of the Thirteenth Amendment is clear and direct, stating: "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."

The other amendments mentioned pertain to different aspects of rights and liberties. For example, the First Amendment guarantees freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition the government. The Fifteenth Amendment prohibits the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on "race, color, or previous condition of servitude," which came well after the Thirteenth Amendment and was focused on voting rights. Lastly, the Nineteenth Amendment granted women the right to vote but did not address slavery or involuntary servitude.