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

The Thirteenth Amendment, ratified in 1865, brought about a monumental shift in American society by abolishing slavery throughout the United States. This amendment formally ended the legal status of slavery, ensuring that no individual could be held as property and subjected to involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. This was a significant step in advancing civil rights and set the foundation for future amendments and legislation aimed at ensuring equality and freedom for all individuals, particularly those who had been enslaved.

The other options all pertain to important changes in American law but are not related to the Thirteenth Amendment. The establishment of an income tax, the granting of women the right to vote, and the allowance of direct voting for U.S. senators correspond to other legislative actions and amendments, highlighting key developments in different periods of American history. However, none of these changes relate directly to the abolition of slavery, which is the primary focus of the Thirteenth Amendment.