What amendment to the U.S. Constitution outlawed slavery?

The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1865, specifically abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for a crime. This amendment marked a significant turning point in American history, solidifying the legal end of slavery after the Civil War. It states that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall exist within the United States or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

This amendment was crucial in establishing the principle that all individuals should have the right to freedom and that slavery is not permissible in a sovereign nation. The passage of the 13th Amendment was a direct response to the widespread illegal enslavement that had persisted for centuries and was part of the larger Reconstruction Amendments aimed at integrating formerly enslaved people into society as full citizens with rights.

The other amendments listed—while vital to the progression of civil rights—serve different purposes: the 12th Amendment deals with the election of the President and Vice President, the 14th Amendment addresses citizenship rights and equal protection under the law, and the 15th Amendment prohibits denying the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.