What was the primary focus of the Emancipation Proclamation during the Civil War?

The primary focus of the Emancipation Proclamation was to free enslaved people. Issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, during the Civil War, this landmark document declared that all enslaved people in the Confederate states were to be set free. The Emancipation Proclamation transformed the character of the war, making the abolition of slavery a central goal alongside the preservation of the Union. By framing the conflict as one not just about reunifying the states but also about ending slavery, it aimed to weaken the Confederacy, which relied heavily on enslaved labor.

This act became a significant turning point in American history, as it not only liberated numerous individuals but also paved the way for the eventual passage of the 13th Amendment, which formally abolished slavery in the United States. The Emancipation Proclamation is thus seen as a crucial step towards civil rights and equality, reflecting a profound shift in national policy regarding slavery.

While unifying the states and establishing peace were critical to the overarching goals of the Civil War, they were not the primary focus of the Proclamation itself. Similarly, the ideas of expanding territory were not relevant to the intent of the Proclamation, which centered squarely on the issue of