What was the purpose of the Emancipation Proclamation?

The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, aimed specifically to free enslaved individuals in the Confederate states. While it did not immediately free all enslaved people, it declared that all persons held as slaves in the rebellious territories were to be set free. This significant act shifted the focus of the Civil War, adding a moral imperative to the Union's fight against the Confederacy. Additionally, it paved the way for the enlistment of freed slaves into the Union Army, further contributing to the Union's strength.

Understanding the context of the Civil War and the social conditions of that time is crucial to recognizing the impact of the Emancipation Proclamation. It was a strategic war measure intended to weaken the Confederacy and ultimately, promote the abolition of slavery in the United States. The Proclamation represented a turning point in the war and in American social policy, setting a precedent for future civil rights legislation.