The Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation helped African Americans reach their freedom. Throughout the war, President Lincoln had been trying to find a way to contain the spread of slavery. This task would have been much easier if both sides of the country agreed on the issue of slavery. Instead, most Northerners favored President Lincoln and his ideas, while the Southerners wanted to keep slavery.
On January 1, 1863, President Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Although this was a step towards a free country, it had little affect on the majority of slaves in the country. The Proclamation only freed slaves in territories not under Union control. The document did not apply to Southern states already under Union control and boarder states. In the end, very few slaves had been freed.
Not everyone supported the Emancipation Proclamation. Some thought the Proclamation should apply to the whole country not just certain parts, and some thought Lincoln was trying to cause a slave uprising. One group of people that Lincoln did get approval from was the Union soldiers. Many of the soldiers saw it as a Proclamation that weakened the South. One Union soldier said, "This army will sustain the emancipation proclamation and enforce it with the bayonet."
Even though the Emancipation Proclamation freed few slaves, it changed the meaning of the Civil War. no longer was it a fight to save the Union, it was a fight for slavery. The Proclamation also erased all hopes that Britain would recognize the South's independence. In conclusion, the Emancipation had a lasting effect of the Civil War.
On January 1, 1863, President Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Although this was a step towards a free country, it had little affect on the majority of slaves in the country. The Proclamation only freed slaves in territories not under Union control. The document did not apply to Southern states already under Union control and boarder states. In the end, very few slaves had been freed.
Not everyone supported the Emancipation Proclamation. Some thought the Proclamation should apply to the whole country not just certain parts, and some thought Lincoln was trying to cause a slave uprising. One group of people that Lincoln did get approval from was the Union soldiers. Many of the soldiers saw it as a Proclamation that weakened the South. One Union soldier said, "This army will sustain the emancipation proclamation and enforce it with the bayonet."
Even though the Emancipation Proclamation freed few slaves, it changed the meaning of the Civil War. no longer was it a fight to save the Union, it was a fight for slavery. The Proclamation also erased all hopes that Britain would recognize the South's independence. In conclusion, the Emancipation had a lasting effect of the Civil War.