Which amendment abolished slavery in the United States?

The 13th Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. Ratified in December 1865, this amendment declares that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime, shall exist within the United States or any place subject to their jurisdiction. It represents a crucial turning point in American history, following the Civil War, and laid the foundation for subsequent civil rights advancements. The significance of the 13th Amendment lies in its explicit prohibition of slavery, shifting the legal landscape to one that supports the freedom and rights of formerly enslaved individuals.

In contrast, the other amendments mentioned serve different purposes. The 12th Amendment pertains to the election of the President and Vice President, the 14th Amendment addresses citizenship rights and equal protection under the law for all people born or naturalized in the U.S., and the 15th Amendment prohibits denying the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. Each of these amendments plays an important role in American constitutional law, but they do not focus on the abolition of slavery as the 13th Amendment does.