What does article 4 say about slavery?
Asked by: Dr. Pietro Strosin II | Last update: February 6, 2026Score: 4.4/5 (20 votes)
Article 4, depending on the document, either prohibits slavery entirely, as in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), or contains the infamous "Fugitive Slave Clause," requiring the return of escaped enslaved people in the U.S. Constitution (Article IV, Section 2, Clause 3). The UDHR states: "No one shall be held in slavery or servitude: slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms," while the U.S. Constitution's clause protected the property rights of slave owners by mandating the return of those who escaped to free states.
How did article IV address slavery?
The Fugitive Slave Clause, located in Article IV, Section 2, further asserted that a slave who was bound by the laws of their home state remained slaves wherever they went, even if they fled to a non-slavery state. This was reinforced in the 1857 Supreme Court case of Dred Scott v.
What is article 4 in simple terms?
Article 4 of the U.S. Constitution in simple terms means states must respect each other's laws and citizens (Full Faith & Credit, Privileges & Immunities), how new states join the Union, and that the federal government guarantees a republican government and protects states from invasion and violence, ensuring unity and fair dealings among states.
What is article 4 mainly about?
The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.
What is Section 4 of the Modern slavery Act?
4Committing offence with intent to commit offence under section 2. A person commits an offence under this section if the person commits any offence with the intention of committing an offence under section 2 (including an offence committed by aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring an offence under that section).
Human Rights - Article 4 - Slavery
What does article 4 prohibit?
Article 4. No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
What is the slavery clause in the Constitution?
Article 1, Section 9, Clause 1, is one of a handful of provisions in the original Constitution related to slavery, though it does not use the word “slave.” This Clause prohibited the federal government from limiting the importation of “persons” (understood at the time to mean primarily enslaved African persons) where ...
What is article 4 simplified?
Article 4 of the U.S. Constitution in simple terms means states must respect each other's laws and citizens (Full Faith & Credit, Privileges & Immunities), how new states join the Union, and that the federal government guarantees a republican government and protects states from invasion and violence, ensuring unity and fair dealings among states.
What is article 4 for dummies?
Article 4 of the United States Constitution outlines the relationships between the states and the Federal government. It grants a set of rights and obligations to each state and sets up the framework within which each state will interact with other states and with the Federal Government.
What are article 4 powers?
The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.
What is Article 4 in one word?
What does Article 4 mean in simple terms? In simple terms, Article 4 of Indian Constitution means that changes to state boundaries or the creation of new states, when done by Parliament, can also include adjustments to the Constitution itself without the need for a formal constitutional amendment process.
Who enforces Article 4?
The Articles of Confederation had contained a similar reference, but the Constitution went a step further and granted Congress the power to enact legislation to implement and enforce the “full faith and credit” provision.
Is Article 4 no one shall be held in slavery or servitude?
ARTICLE 4 — NO SLAVERY
“No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.”
Why was article 4 created?
Article Four of the United States Constitution outlines the relationship between the various states, as well as the relationship between each state and the United States federal government. It also empowers Congress to admit new states and administer the territories and other federal lands.
Who abolished slavery in the USA?
On February 1, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln approved the Joint Resolution of Congress submitting the proposed amendment to the state legislatures. The necessary number of states (three-fourths) ratified it by December 6, 1865.
What is the Article 4 right?
Article 4 Prohibition of slavery and forced labour
1No one shall be held in slavery or servitude. 2No one shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour.
What's the main idea of article 4?
Article IV of the U.S. Constitution addresses several issues related to state citizenship, the relationship between states, and the admission of new states. It requires state governments to give “full faith and credit” to the laws of other states and decisions made by other state courts.
What happens when article 4 is invoked?
Upon its invocation, the issue is discussed in the North Atlantic Council, and can formally lead into a joint decision or action (logistic, military, or otherwise) on behalf of the Alliance.
What are the limitations of Article 4?
States parties may in no circumstances invoke article 4 of the Covenant as justification for acting in violation of humanitarian law or peremptory norms of international law, for instance by taking hostages, by imposing collective punishments, through arbitrary deprivations of liberty or by deviating from fundamental ...
Did the 14th Amendment stop slavery?
The 14th Amendment to the Constitution is one of the nation's most important laws relating to citizenship and civil rights. Ratified in 1868, three years after the abolishment of slavery, the 14th Amendment served a revolutionary purpose — to define African Americans as equal citizens under the law.
What does the 15th Amendment say about slavery?
The official text is written as such: The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
Is slavery talked about in the Constitution?
Thirteenth Amendment: 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. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
What does article 4 mean?
In summary, an Article 4 direction removes or restricts one or more permitted development rights from a site or area, meaning planning permission is required. They are created by local councils to provide them with control over developments that would normally be permitted.
What does Article 4 Section 1 mean?
Section 1 Full Faith and Credit Clause
Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.
What is Section 4 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015?
The offences arising under the 2015 Act are: Section 1 – Slavery, Servitude and Forced or Compulsory Labour. Section 2 – Human Trafficking. Section 4 – Committing an offence with intent to commit an offence under section 2 of the 2015 Act.