Which historical document includes a clause addressing involuntary servitude?

The Thirteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution is the historical document that explicitly addresses involuntary servitude. Ratified in 1865, this amendment abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. Its main purpose was to eliminate the institution of slavery across the nation, marking a significant turning point in American history and human rights.

In this context, the Thirteenth Amendment directly states that "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." This clearly positions the amendment as the definitive legal text confronting the issues surrounding slavery and involuntary servitude, establishing a foundation for civil rights in America.

Other documents listed, while significant in American history, do not contain specific clauses that address involuntary servitude in the same manner. For instance, the Northwest Ordinances primarily dealt with governance in the Northwest Territory, the U.S. Constitution established the framework of the government but did not initially include provisions against slavery or involuntary servitude, and the Fugitive Slave Act dealt with the legal responsibilities regarding escaped slaves but did not abolish the practice of slavery itself. Thus, the Th