Which amendment abolished slavery in the United States?

The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution is the amendment that abolished slavery across the nation. Ratified in December 1865, it 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, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." This amendment was a significant step in the fight for civil rights and marked a transformative moment in American history, officially ending the legal institution of slavery that had existed in the country since its early years.

The other amendments mentioned address different issues: the 15th Amendment prohibits denying the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude; the 17th Amendment establishes the direct election of U.S. Senators; and the 19th Amendment grants women the right to vote. Each plays a crucial role in the evolution of rights and liberties in the U.S., but none directly address the abolition of slavery.