Which amendment abolished slavery in the United States?

The 13th Amendment is the correct answer because it specifically abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States. Ratified in 1865, this amendment marked a crucial turning point in American history, as it legally ended the institution of slavery which had existed for centuries in the country. The 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, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." This constitutional change was a significant victory for the abolitionist movement and was integral in the broader context of the post-Civil War Reconstruction era, aiming to establish new rights for formerly enslaved individuals.

In contrast, the 15th Amendment focuses on prohibiting the denial of voting rights based on race, the 19th Amendment grants women the right to vote, and the 21st Amendment repeals the prohibition of alcohol, none of which pertain to the issue of slavery itself.