TExES Social Studies Content Practice Exam 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States, making it a pivotal moment in American history. Ratified in December 1865, this amendment officially ended the legal practice of slavery and involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for a crime. It marked a significant step towards civil rights and equality, following the Civil War and reflecting the changing social and political ideals of the time, particularly during the Reconstruction Era.

The first, fifth, and nineteenth amendments address different issues. The First Amendment guarantees freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition. The Fifth Amendment provides for numerous legal protections, including the right against self-incrimination and double jeopardy. The Nineteenth Amendment grants women the right to vote. While all these amendments are crucial to American civil rights and liberties, it is the Thirteenth Amendment that specifically addresses and abolishes slavery.