What does the 13th Amendment prohibit?

The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution specifically prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. Ratified in 1865, this amendment was a pivotal piece of legislation in the aftermath of the Civil War, aiming to ensure that no individual could be legally held in bondage against their will. It fundamentally altered the legal landscape of the United States concerning personal liberties, making it clear that slavery was no longer permissible. Understanding this amendment is crucial, as it laid the groundwork for subsequent civil rights advancements by legally freeing those who had been enslaved and setting a precedent for addressing issues of personal freedom and human rights in the country.