Which statement best explains why the Declaration of Independence does not directly address the issue of slavery?

Short & Quick Answer:

The statement was none other than but some among the 13 colonies were in support (Southern states) of slavery, where at the same time, some others were against (Northern states) slavery. 

The issue was still controversial, whether slavery was good or evil.

The Second Continental Congress delegates were afraid that this issue could have weakened the Revolutionary War because it could have divided the southern and northern states into two groups.

So, they didn’t want to take any risk of weakening the Revolutionary War.

They considered the independence of the 13 colonies more important than freeing the Black slaves from the clutches of slaveholders.

This was the main reason why they didn’t include the issue in the Declaration of Independence.

Learn more in the following…

Which statement best explains why the Declaration of Independence does not directly address the issue of slavery?

Description – Why The Declaration of Independence Does Not Directly Address The Issue of Slavery?

Why the declaration did not directly address the issue of slavery, even though the main drafter Thomas Jefferson discussed it in its rough copy and called it an abominable crime against humanity?

There was only one main reason behind this.

The reason was, the Congress’ leaders wanted to keep all the thirteen colonies together against the Empire of Great Britain.

But how?

Because the 13 colonies had different viewpoints over the slavery issue. Some supported it and some didn’t.

Especially, Southern states’ economy (agriculture-based) was fully dependent upon Slavery; hence, they had always been supporting it.

But compared to the Southern States, Northern States’ dependency upon slavery was not so intense because those states’ economies were dependent upon industrialization. 

Leaders of the Second Continental Congress were afraid – If all the colonies starts getting separated into two groups over the issue, then the rebellion could not be so powerful and finally successful.

Therefore, leaders like John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams didn’t let the controversial issue be directly addressed via the Declaration of Independence.

For them, the 13 colonies’ independence was far more important than the slave’s issue.

However, many historians criticize the declaration for this reason.

Because it focused and talked a lot about all human beings’ life, liberty, equality, and the pursuit of happiness.

But even after all these kinds of stuff, the revolution failed to end slavery in the newborn nation, the United States of America.

[Interesting Fact: Did You Know? In The First Draft of The Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson Blamed The British Government And King George III For Doing Slave Trade Through The Atlantic Ocean And Called It An Abominable Crime Against Humanity. But Most Interestingly, Thomas Jefferson Himself Was A Slaveholder During His Whole Life]

Which statement best explains why the Declaration of Independence does not directly address the issue of slavery?

Wasn’t Slavery A Major Issue During The Period of The American Revolution?

If this could have been done, slavery could have been eradicated at the time of the American Revolution.

But at that time, due to some problems (as I have mentioned above), revolutionary leaders didn’t give this subject much emphasis.

During that time, the biggest problem of the American people was British rule and they wanted it to end at any cost.

Hence, all other issues became less important to them in front of this major one.

On the other hand, Slaves were not capable that they could raise the subject in the Continental Congress for their liberation.

[Interesting Fact: Did You Know? It Took 89 Years More To Abolish Slavery From The United States After The American Revolution. Slavery Abolished On December 6th, 1865, Through The 13th Amendment of The US Constitution. The Issue Caused Civil War In The Country And The Deaths Many Hundred Thousands People. The 16th US President, Abraham Lincoln Had To Give Up His Life In This Struggle]

Which statement best describes the Declaration of Independence?

Terms in this set (13) Which statement best describes the historical significance of the Declaration of Independence? It describes why the colonists wanted to be free from Britain and what led to their decision to fight against British rule.

What issue was not addressed in the Declaration of Independence?

So while Jefferson is credited with infusing the Declaration with Enlightenment-derived ideals of freedom and equality, the nation's founding document—its moral mission statement—would remain forever silent on the issue of slavery.

How did the Declaration of Independence affect slavery?

This document said nothing about slavery. It left the power to regulate slavery, as well as most powers, to the individual states. After their experience with the British, the colonists distrusted a strong central government. The new national government consisted solely of a Congress in which each state had one vote.

Who was directly addressed in the Declaration of Independence?

The Declaration of Independence was designed for multiple audiences: the King, the colonists, and the world.