Which amendment abolished slavery in the United States?

• A. Twelfth Amendment
• B. Thirteenth Amendment
• C. Fourteenth Amendment
• D. Fifteenth Amendment

Answer: (B)

The Thirteenth Amendment is the correct answer because it specifically states that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime, shall exist within the United States and its jurisdictions. Ratified on December 6, 1865, this amendment legally abolished slavery and marked a significant turning point in American history, especially in the aftermath of the Civil War.

This amendment represented a fundamental change in American society, as it sought to extend freedoms to millions of African Americans who had been enslaved. It laid the groundwork for subsequent civil rights advancements and addressed the moral and legal foundations for equality in the nation.

In contrast, the Twelfth Amendment established the procedure for electing the President and Vice President. The Fourteenth Amendment dealt with citizenship rights and equal protection under the law but did not address the issue of slavery directly. The Fifteenth Amendment aimed to protect the voting rights of African American men, again not focusing on the abolition of slavery itself. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify the significant milestones in the progression toward civil rights in the United States.