Before the long list of King George III's mean, oppressive tactics, Jefferson introduces the section like this: "To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world" (2). After a paragraph of idealistic assertions about government and humanity, Jefferson writes that it's time for some down-to-earth facts to prove why he's right.

You know, just in case the whole "all men are created equal" argument isn't good enough for you.

The whole document, in addition to an official declaration of independence, is also a justification of that declaration. Jefferson clearly finds it important to put facts in there, or he wouldn't include so many to prove those philosophical arguments he was just making.

Plus, he submits those facts to "a candid world," which implies other people and nations outside of Britain and America, who aren't involved in the conflict. He's trying to convince everyone, using good old fashioned evidence.

Even Jefferson's most famous philosophical argument is held up as fact: "We hold these truths to be self-evident…" (9). Not only are the ideas true, they're clearly visible. These word choices are possibly meant to make the text look more objective, showing that the colonists are not being whisked away on a fantastical adventure by their hopes and dreams.

Does it work? Are you convinced that what Jefferson claims is true?