Advanced Placement US History (AP US History) Practice Exam

What significant change did the 13th Amendment bring about in the United States?

1. Abolished slavery in the U.S.

2. Granted women's suffrage

3. Established income tax

4. Ended racial discrimination

The correct answer is: Abolished slavery in the U.S.

The 13th Amendment, ratified in December 1865, was pivotal in abolishing slavery throughout the United States. This amendment permanently outlawed the practice of slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. This legal change marked a significant turning point in American history, as it formally ended a system that had been deeply entrenched since the founding of the nation and had profound economic, social, and cultural implications. It laid the groundwork for future civil rights advancements and reshaped the social and political landscape of the post-Civil War United States. The amendment's adoption was a key outcome of the Civil War and the broader struggle for freedom and equality, influencing subsequent legislation aimed at securing civil rights for formerly enslaved individuals.