Which amendment abolished slavery in the United States?

The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in December 1865, abolished slavery throughout the country. This landmark amendment states that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime, shall exist within the United States or any place subject to its jurisdiction. The passage of this amendment marked a significant turning point in American history, as it formally emancipated millions of enslaved individuals and laid the groundwork for subsequent civil rights advancements.

In contrast, the 14th Amendment primarily addresses citizenship rights and equal protection under the law, establishing that all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. are citizens and entitled to equal protection. The 15th Amendment focuses on voting rights, prohibiting the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. The Civil Rights Bill of 1866 was an important legislative step that aimed to protect the rights of newly freed slaves but is not an amendment to the Constitution. Each of these options plays a role in the broader landscape of civil rights, but the 13th Amendment is specifically the one that abolished slavery.