Which amendment abolished slavery in the United States?

The 13th Amendment is a pivotal piece of legislation in American history because it formally abolished slavery in the United States. Ratified in December 1865, it states that "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 amendment was instrumental in the Civil Rights Movement and set the foundation for further advancements in civil rights.

The other amendments mentioned, such as the 1st Amendment, primarily deal with freedoms related to speech, religion, assembly, and the press. The 5th Amendment addresses legal rights, particularly the rights of individuals accused of crimes, including protection against self-incrimination and double jeopardy. The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, granted women the right to vote. Each of these amendments serves distinct purposes in American law and society, highlighting the significance of the 13th Amendment as the key law in abolishing the institution of slavery.