Which amendment abolished slavery in the United States?

The 13th Amendment is the correct choice as it specifically addresses the issue of slavery in the United States. Ratified in December 1865, this amendment officially abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. It was a pivotal change in American legal and social structures, marking a significant step in the fight for civil rights and freedom for formerly enslaved individuals following the Civil War.

The other amendments listed, while significant in their own rights, do not pertain to the abolition of slavery. The 15th Amendment focuses on voting rights and prohibits the government from denying a citizen the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. The 19th Amendment guarantees women the right to vote, establishing equality in electoral rights. The 1st Amendment protects freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition, which, although central to American democracy, does not relate to the issue of slavery. Thus, the 13th Amendment is uniquely positioned as the one that completely eradicated slavery in the United States.