jan 1, 1863 - Emancipation Proclamation

Description:

-did not immediately free a single slave
-legally abolished slavery in any state outside the Union
-signaled end to slavery
-initially, Lincoln's primary goal was not emancipation, but to save the Union -> pressure from radical Republicans and escaped slaves made him change his mind
-emancipation helped persuade Britain and France from aiding the Confederacy
-Democrats denounced emancipation as unconstitutional
-changed military policy and popular sentiment

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