Question 27

The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States.

The Thirteenth Amendment is the constitutional provision that officially ended slavery within the United States, ensuring that no one could be held as a slave or involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime.

A) Thirteenth Amendment

This option is correct because the Thirteenth Amendment, ratified in 1865, explicitly abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, marking a significant turning point in American history regarding civil rights and human freedom.

B) Fourteenth Amendment

The Fourteenth Amendment, ratified in 1868, primarily addresses citizenship rights and equal protection under the law. While it plays a crucial role in civil rights, it did not abolish slavery.

C) Fifteenth Amendment

The Fifteenth Amendment, ratified in 1870, prohibits the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on "race, color, or previous condition of servitude." It does not pertain to the abolition of slavery.

D) Sixteenth Amendment

The Sixteenth Amendment, ratified in 1913, allows Congress to impose an income tax without apportioning it among the states. This amendment is unrelated to the issue of slavery or its abolition.

E) Nineteenth Amendment

The Nineteenth Amendment, ratified in 1920, granted women the right to vote. Although it is significant in the context of women's rights, it does not address the topic of slavery.

Conclusion

The Thirteenth Amendment is definitively the correct answer as it directly abolished slavery in the United States. All other amendments listed either address different civil rights issues or come into effect long after the abolition of slavery, making them irrelevant to the question at hand.