Which amendment abolished slavery in the United States?

The 13th Amendment abolished slavery in the United States, making it a pivotal moment in American history. Ratified in 1865, this amendment specifically states that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime, shall exist within the United States. This legal change marked the formal end of the institution of slavery, which had been a deeply entrenched system in the country since its founding.

The historical context surrounding the 13th Amendment is crucial, as it came in the aftermath of the Civil War, a conflict that was fundamentally based on the issues of slavery and states' rights. The passage of this amendment was a significant victory for abolitionists who had long fought for the emancipation of enslaved people.

On the other hand, the 14th Amendment established citizenship rights and equal protection under the law, the 15th Amendment focused on voting rights for African American men, and the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote. While all these amendments were essential in the context of civil rights and liberties, it is the 13th Amendment that specifically addresses and abolishes the institution of slavery itself.