Which of the following amendments abolished slavery in the United States?

The 13th Amendment, ratified in December 1865, unequivocally abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States, except as punishment for a crime. This amendment marked a significant turning point in American history, particularly following the Civil War, as it formally ended the legal recognition of slavery and sought to establish greater freedom and rights for all individuals.

In contrast, the 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, primarily deals with citizenship rights and equal protection under the law, while the 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, grants women the right to vote. Each of these amendments plays a crucial role in expanding civil rights but does not directly address the issue of slavery itself, making the 13th Amendment the key legislative act that abolished it in the United States.