What amendment abolished slavery in the United States?

The Thirteenth Amendment is the correct answer because it explicitly abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States. Ratified in December 1865, this amendment marked a significant turning point in American history, as it legally ended the institution of slavery, which had been a fundamental part of the country's social and economic structure for centuries. The Thirteenth 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 strong language underscores the total prohibition of slavery, making it an essential part of the constitutional framework that promotes individual freedom and civil rights.

In contrast, the other amendments listed do not pertain to the abolition of slavery. The Eleventh Amendment relates to lawsuits against states, the Nineteenth Amendment grants women the right to vote, and the Fifteenth Amendment prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. While all of these amendments are important in their respective contexts, none directly address the issue of slavery as the Thirteenth Amendment does.