Which amendment abolished slavery in the United States?

The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution is the correct answer because it explicitly abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States. Ratified on December 6, 1865, this amendment was a crucial part of the Reconstruction era, marking a significant step toward civil rights and the overall transformation of American society following the Civil War.

The language of the amendment states that "neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." This legal framework set the stage for future civil rights advancements and ensured that slavery could no longer be legally practiced in any form, thereby affirming the principle of individual freedom and equality before the law.

Other amendments listed relate to different aspects of civil rights and governance. The 14th Amendment addresses citizenship and equal protection under the law; the 15th Amendment guarantees the right to vote regardless of race; and the 16th Amendment pertains to the federal income tax. Each plays a vital role in U.S. history, but none directly deal with the abolition of slavery as the 13th Amendment does.