Final answer:
The text of the Constitution never mentioned slavery until the abolition of it in 1865 with the Thirteenth Amendment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The absence of explicit reference to slavery in the original text of the Constitution was a contentious decision made during the drafting process in 1787. Framers grappled with the issue, resorting to ambiguous language to address it indirectly without using the term "slavery." The compromise reached aimed to balance the interests of slaveholding states with the need for national unity. The framers employed phrases like the "Three-Fifths Compromise" to determine representation and taxation based on enslaved populations.
The 13th Amendment marked a pivotal moment in American history, expressly abolishing slavery and involuntary servitude except as punishment for a crime. It was a transformative addition, reflecting the nation's evolving moral and legal understanding of human rights. This amendment brought an end to an institution deeply ingrained in the country's foundation, solidifying the legal recognition of freedom for all individuals.
Correct answer: the Thirteenth Amendment