Question

Which statement best explains why the Declaration of Independence does not directly address the issue of slavery? Thomas Jefferson’s own plantation depended on the labor of enslaved people. Thomas Jefferson did not believe in the trade of enslaved people. Some of the colonies were in favor of slavery and others were opposed to it. Some of the colonists believed that enslaved people could help fight the British.

Answer 1

Answer:

3rd option , C

Explanation:

Answer 2

Answer:

The statement which best explains why the Declaration of Independence does not directly address the issue of slavery is:

C. Some of the colonies were in favor of slavery and others were opposed to it.

Explanation:

It is true that Jefferson himself owned about 100 slaves. However, that did not prevent him from condemning slavery when he wrote an initial draft for the Declaration of Independence. The anti-slavery passage was edited out by members of a committee, including John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. The reason behind it was the crucial division between the colonies, some supporting and some condemning slavery. There were colonies in which slavery was seen as essential for production of cotton and tobacco, for instance. Having that in mind, the best option is letter C. Some of the colonies were in favor of slavery and others were opposed to it.