History The American Civil War Questions
The Emancipation Proclamation impacted the American Civil War by declaring that all slaves in Confederate territory were to be freed. This had several effects on the war. Firstly, it shifted the focus of the war from solely preserving the Union to also abolishing slavery. This helped to garner support from abolitionists and African Americans, both domestically and internationally. Secondly, it weakened the Confederacy by depriving them of their labor force and potentially encouraging slave rebellions. Lastly, it prevented foreign intervention on behalf of the Confederacy, as countries like Britain and France were opposed to slavery. Overall, the Emancipation Proclamation played a significant role in shaping the goals and outcomes of the American Civil War.