Which amendment abolished slavery in the United States?

The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution is the correct answer as it specifically abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States. Ratified in 1865, this amendment was a significant step forward in the fight for civil rights, marking the legal end of slavery as an institution, which had been a major part of American life, particularly in the South, for centuries. The explicit language of the amendment states, "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." This established a legal framework that promoted freedom and equality.

On the other hand, the other amendments listed address different issues. 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. The 21st Amendment, ratified in 1933, repealed Prohibition. Each of these amendments plays a crucial role in American history and civil rights, but only the 13th Amendment directly abolished slavery.