49. Which of the following constitutional amendments formally ended slavery at the end of the Civil War?
Answer: B
The Thirteenth Amendment formally ended slavery at the end of the Civil War.
The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime, marking a significant legal change in the United States following the Civil War.
A) The Twelfth Amendment
The Twelfth Amendment, ratified in 1804, pertains to the electoral process for the President and Vice President, establishing procedures for electors and is not related to the issue of slavery. Therefore, it is incorrect in the context of ending slavery.
B) The Thirteenth Amendment
The Thirteenth Amendment, ratified in 1865, explicitly abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States, making it the correct answer to the question regarding the formal end of slavery.
C) The Fourteenth Amendment
The Fourteenth Amendment, ratified in 1868, addresses citizenship rights and equal protection under the law but does not specifically end slavery. It is more focused on civil rights and protections rather than the abolition of slavery itself.
D) The Fifteenth Amendment
The Fifteenth Amendment, ratified in 1870, guarantees the right to vote regardless of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. While it is significant for civil rights, it does not address the issue of slavery directly, making it incorrect in this context.
E) The Sixteenth Amendment
The Sixteenth Amendment, ratified in 1913, allows Congress to levy an income tax without apportioning it among the states. This amendment is unrelated to slavery and does not pertain to the end of involuntary servitude.
Conclusion
The Thirteenth Amendment is definitively the correct answer as it directly addresses the abolition of slavery in the United States. All other options either pertain to different constitutional matters or focus on civil rights without addressing the issue of slavery's formal end.