What is the importance of the emancipation proclomation?

Answer 1

The Emancipation Proclamation did not at first declare all slaves free, though President Lincoln did encourage the southern states to free them. The proclamation is what led to the thirteenth amendment in the commandment, though, a year later declaring all slaves free.

Answer 2

It's important because it was not issued solely for the purpose of freeing all slaves, Lincoln issued it to keep his few remaining supporters and to forestall the British recognition of the confederacy.

Answer 3

At the time when the Proclamation was made, its importance was tactical - to turn the war into a moral crusade against slavery, in order to keep Britain from helping the Confederates.

It was also aimed at giving the North a more emotive cause to fight for, when they were starting to question the war-aims after continuing bloodshed.

The Proclamation was an unusual case of a wartime measure that could not be rescinded after the war. In fact, it was the other way round.

After the war, freedom would clearly have to be extended to Northern slaves as well - whose owners Lincoln had not wanted to offend, while those states were in danger of seceding.

Answer 4

It ended slavery in the rebellious South. Abraham Lincoln spun it as a way to undermine the South's economy in a time of war rather than abolition. The Emancipation Proclamation later went on to be a blueprint for the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery.

Answer 5

It freed all slaves in the south.