jan 1, 1863 - Emancipation Proclamation

Description:

Key Event: The creation of the Emancipation Proclamation is a key event because through its development, the North’s army in the Civil War was strengthened due to the slaves that were recruited. Moreover, the Emancipation Proclamation inspired the Republican party to work on banning slavery, which leads to the development of the 13th amendment.

Defined: By creating the Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln prevented Europeans from participating in the war. Moreover, African Americans were motivated to help the union army with hopes of obtaining political freedom.
Described: Lincoln had realized that many lives had been lost during the Civil War and he didn’t want his soldier’s lives to be wasted on only preserving the Union. Instead, as slaves joined the North’s army, he was finally convinced that abolition could be used to morally justify the war.

Short Term: The Emancipation Proclamation did not free any slaves, but it had changed the meaning of the Civil War and why is was being fought. Moreover, more slaves had wanted to work with the Northerners and the Emancipation Proclamation allowed for their recruitment.

Long Term: Through the large recruitment of slaves, the North’s military power was much stronger than the South’s strength. At the end of the Civil War, the Union had won and the Republican party decided to commit itself to abolishing slavery. As a result, the 13th amendment was made, meaning that slavery would no longer be allowed in the U.S.

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