What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, specifically aimed to free enslaved people in the Confederate states that were in rebellion against the Union. This significant document declared that all slaves in those areas were to be set free. It did not apply to slave-holding border states that remained loyal to the Union or areas already under Union control, which is why it is crucial to understand that its intent was primarily focused on the Confederacy.

The proclamation was a pivotal moment in American history, as it shifted the focus of the Civil War toward not just preserving the Union but also abolishing slavery. By doing so, it laid the groundwork for the eventual passage of the 13th Amendment, which would permanently abolish slavery throughout the entire United States.

The other options do not correctly reflect the scope or impact of the Emancipation Proclamation. For example, while it is true that enslaved people in the North were free as a result of other measures, the proclamation did not specifically address them. Additionally, the wording "freed the slaves" is vague and does not accurately capture the limited geographical scope of the proclamation. Although the document was a critical step in the broader movement towards freedom