What is the Emacipation Proclamation?

Answer 1

The Union war efforts in Virginia were increasingly failing, and the removal of the Union General George B. McClellan was being discussed. Lincoln was getting grave pressure from radicals to increase Union war efforts thus the Emancipation Proclamation was born. Not only did it free the slaves in the "rebellious states," but also increased military strength and action. However, it did not include those states that were of the South yet under Union control and those states who were border states. Foriegn influence of the document went both ways. Some countries such as Italy supported Lincoln, but others like Russia and Spain were doubtful. England and France's opinion mainly focused on the issue of cotton from the South. Nevertheless, Lincoln's speech at the battlegrounds of Antietam proved to be a stepping stone for the abolishing of slavery in America.