Emancipation Proclamation Facts: History, Impact & More

The American Civil War was one of the most significant events in US history.

However, what this war gave impetus to is also very important. The Emancipation Proclamation, signed by Abraham Lincoln, freed African Americans across the country.

While there was some hesitation on Abraham Lincoln's side regarding whether or not this order would be accepted, the victory at the Battle of Antietam gave Congress all the assurance that it needed.

This executive order was signed on the first day of 1863, shortly after Confederate Robert E. Lee was defeated in the Battle of Antietam and it set all the enslaved of the Confederate states forever free.

Keep reading to learn more facts about Emancipation Proclamation and how it came into existence!

Important People Associated With Emancipation Proclamation

The Emancipation Proclamation was not an order that depended solely on the thoughts of Abraham Lincoln. This order was only passed with the help of several people, as well as the federal troops.

The Confederate states were known for their rigidity against the liberation of the enslaved. The owners of the enslaved in the South were completely against the Emancipation Proclamation since it gave no way for them to keep profiting from unpaid labor.

However, even the federal government did not completely agree with Lincoln's decision. Even President Abraham Lincoln's commander was against the abolishing of slavery. People within the Republican party were also against this order.

Confederate general Robert E. Lee was badly affected by the Emancipation Proclamation. While other people were involved, the most important person with regards to this order was President Abraham Lincoln.

Impact Of The Emancipation Proclamation

The Union army received a tremendous boost as a result of the Emancipation Proclamation. With the freeing of the enslaved came a renewed energy to quench the Confederate rebellion.

The Battle of Antietam was a major victory and gave President Lincoln the confidence he needed in order to pass the order on January 1, 1863.

As a result of the order, about 50,000 enslaved from the Confederate states were immediately freed. They worked with the Union in order to squash the rebellion and eventually succeeded in doing so.

The Emancipation Proclamation was also what led to making the 13th Amendment to the constitution of the United States of America. This central act rendered slavery unlawful and therefore freed millions of enslaved across the country. The impact was felt not only in the US but also in other parts of the world.

Important Details About Emancipation Proclamation

Contrary to what some people believe about the Emancipation Proclamation, it was actually an order from the president and not a constitutional obligation when it was issued in January 1863.

While we cannot deny that President Lincoln made a huge change in the social fabric of the country by bringing this change, we must also acknowledge the fact that this order was not decreed with the sole purpose of establishing the human rights of the enslaved and their right to be counted as citizens of the United States of America.

This order was given at a crucial time with regards to the Civil War. The Confederate rebellion had to be squashed and a move like this from the Union was all that was required in having the toughest of Confederate generals defeated.

This is because the enslaved from the Confederate states now joined hands against the aggressors.

This order was also a great display of the powers that the president of the United States of America was entitled to use at times of war. Even President Lincoln was apprehensive about the powers that he held and whether or not the order would be successful in gathering support.

The Emancipation Proclamation was also successful in shifting the aim of the war. Many of the foreign nations were thinking of supporting the Confederate cause.

However, as the Emancipation Proclamation shifted the focus to the Union being in favor of freeing the enslaved, all the nations that were against slavery withdrew their support from the Confederate cause - who were clearly against giving the enslaved any rights.

This order also boosted the morale of the African Americans, as they realized they would fight for their own freedom and eventually share the same status with other citizens of the United States of America.

FAQs

How many of the enslaved were immediately freed by the Emancipation Proclamation?

The declaration of Emancipation Proclamation did not free all the enslaved of the United States of America immediately. This process would take a while longer. However, what the declaration did was free the enslaved in the Confederate states. Around 50,000 enslaved were free immediately after the declaration.

What is the Emancipation Proclamation?

The order Emancipation Proclamation was an executive order given by President Abraham Lincoln. The order was such that it immediately freed the enslaved from the Confederate states. This order was also a political tool used towards achieving a Union victory in the Civil war.

Who signed the Emancipation Proclamation?

The Emancipation Proclamation was signed by US President Abraham Lincoln.

What freed the enslaved?

The executive order of the Emancipation Proclamation freed the enslaved in only the Confederate states. With the passing of the 13th Amendment, slavery was lawfully abolished from the country.

Who was freed by the Emancipation Proclamation?

The Emancipation Proclamation order freed the enslaved from the Confederate states.

Was the Emancipation Proclamation a law?

The Emancipation Proclamation was an executive order decreed by the President of the United States of America in 1863.

What was the direct effect of the Emancipation Proclamation?

The direct and immediate effect of the Emancipation Proclamation was that the enslaved of the Confederate states were released. This gave a boost to the Union army in the Civil War as the newly freed enslaved started to fight in the war for the Union cause.

What does emancipation mean in history?

Emancipation refers to freeing people from any restraints. In the case of the Emancipation Proclamation, the enslaved were freed in the Confederate states.

Why was the Emancipation Proclamation important?

The Emancipation Proclamation was of paramount importance because this was the first time in the history of the country that any solid effort was made in order to free the enslaved.

How did the Emancipation Proclamation change the meaning of the Civil War?

With the Emancipation Proclamation, the Civil War no longer remained one that was to be fought by white people. With the changed legal status, the enslaved had more opportunities to take part in what happened to their country.

Since Abraham Lincoln, and by extension the Union stood for the freeing of the enslaved, the enslaved were on their side. This essentially means that the Union cause was strengthened by this order.

When did Abraham Lincoln sign the Emancipation Proclamation?

Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863.

How did the Emancipation Proclamation affect the Civil War?

The Emancipation Proclamation strengthened the Union troops and helped in quenching the Confederate rebellion.