The Constitution
Thirteenth Amendment
The 1865 amendment abolishing slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime, and giving Congress power to enforce the ban.
In full
It is one of the few constitutional provisions that reaches private conduct rather than only government action. Its exception for punishment after conviction became the legal foundation for convict leasing and remains a live subject of state constitutional reform. Congress has used its enforcement power to reach the badges and incidents of slavery, including some private discrimination.
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.