What did the Thirteenth Amendment accomplish?

The Thirteenth Amendment, ratified in 1865, abolished slavery in the United States. This historical milestone marked a significant turning point in American history, making it unconstitutional for any person to be held as a slave or involuntarily servitude, except as punishment for a crime. The amendment was a direct response to the Civil War and aimed to address the moral and legal status of slavery in the aftermath of the conflict. Its passage represented a commitment to freedom and equality, laying the groundwork for subsequent civil rights advancements. In contrast, other amendments and laws addressed voting rights, citizenship, and taxation, but the Thirteenth Amendment specifically focused on ending the institution of slavery entirely.