The Emancipation Proclamation Changed The Way Of The Civil War

Michael Johns
Mrs. DeRiggi
US History 1 Honors
24 April 2015
The Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was forced on January 1, 1863 by Abraham Lincoln. It was one of the most important documents of American history. The document stated that slaves residing in Confederate territory and not under Union army occupation were free. The Emancipation Proclamation changed the way of Civil War by connecting the Union cause to fight, with the liberation of slaves. Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809 in a cabin near Hodgenville, Kentucky. His family was poor and his father, Thomas Lincoln, had no education. In 1818, Abraham Lincoln’s mom had died by drinking poisoned milk from a cow. A year later, Lincoln’s father

It also did not apply to the slaves within the border states. Although the Union slaves were not free, they were able to become soldiers and sailors. Lincoln made sure all Union commanders would help in forming black units to fight in battle. This gave the slaves an actual chance to fight for their freedom.
The Emancipation Proclamation also represented a change in the focus for the war efforts. By the time it was put it into act, Lincoln believed that the Civil War could not be won without freeing the slaves. By giving the slaves a position in the army or navy, Lincoln gave them an opportunity to fight for their own freedom and country. Besides giving the Union more power, enrolling slave soldiers showed that, they would receive full citizenship rights by their service in the army fighting against the Confederates.
Besides shifting the focus of the war, the Emancipation Proclamation had a significant effect on the course of the war. First, it changed the Civil War to just needing to save the Union, to abolish slavery as well. Furthermore, It shifted the momentum, giving the Union slaves to fight and the desire to win. Also, the proclamation did not effect areas already under Union control, but any land acquired after January 1, 1863 by the

There were many casualties because of the Civil War and the thousands of deaths from the Union weakened the North drastically. The Emancipation Proclamation gave the Civil War a huge moral advantage for the Northern states. Although the Emancipation Proclamation did not free every slave, it led to their liberation. Eventually with Lincoln’s strong support, the Thirteenth Amendment was passed. This Amendment abolished slavery throughout the United States for good.

Works Cited
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Behrend, Justin J. "Emancipation." Encyclopedia of American History, Vol. 5, Revised Edition. New York: Facts On File, 2009. American History Online. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.
Waugh, Joan. "Lincoln, Abraham." Encyclopedia of American History, Vol. 5, Revised Edition.
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Wilson, Richard L. "Lincoln, Abraham." American Political Leaders. New York: Facts On File, 2002. American History Online. Web. 23 Apr.