Which amendment abolished slavery in the United States?

The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution is the correct choice because it explicitly 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." Ratified in 1865, this amendment was a crucial milestone in American history, as it marked the formal legal end of slavery, which had persisted in various forms since the nation's founding.

In contrast, the other amendments listed serve different purposes: the 14th Amendment addresses citizenship rights and equal protection under the law; the 15th Amendment grants African American men the right to vote; and the 19th Amendment ensures women the right to vote. Each of these amendments reflects significant advancements in civil rights but does not pertain to the abolition of slavery directly. Thus, the 13th Amendment is the foundational legal document that eradicated the institution of slavery in the United States.