What did the emancipation proclamation accomplish?

It was the "lethal dose" that lead to the death of slavery. It only freed slaves in the CSA, but previously slaves who ran way to Union lines were held as "contraband" with no guarantees that they would not be returned to slavery after the war ended. read more

The Emancipation Proclamation ultimately paved the way for the abolition of slavery in the United States. Five months after the Proclamation was passed, African-American troops were granted the right to serve in the armed forces of the U.S. read more

After the Emancipation Proclamation the idea of Europe intervening in what had become a war to end slavery became impossible and the CSA was another step closer to the ash heap of history. read more

Lincoln did not believe he, as the president, had the power under the Constitution to abolish slavery where it already existed. Nor did he want to anger the four slave states that remained in the Union. He also knew that most Northern Democrats were against emancipation. read more