Read this excerpt from the Declaration of Independence:

The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

In the context of the Declaration of Independence, what does the author mean by "candid world"? What effect does this word choice have on the rhetoric as well as the intended audience of the text?

Question

English

Miles Watson

24 January, 02:28

Read this excerpt from the Declaration of Independence:

The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

In the context of the Declaration of Independence, what does the author mean by "candid world"? What effect does this word choice have on the rhetoric as well as the intended audience of the text?

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Hanna Baker · Answer 1

Okay what I got out of it is that Jefferson is directly addressing his audience here. He knew that ultimately the leaders of the other countries were going to make a decision regarding the rightness or wrongness of the colonists' decision to break from Great Britain. So Jefferson not only wanted to explain what we were doing, he also explained why. By using the word "candid" he is trusting that the world would be fair and honest when considering the "Facts" or accusations against King George that are listed following the quote and in their ultimate decision (whether they would side with the colonists, against them, or stay neutral.) Jefferson is appealing to them directly.