Outcomes of the Emancipation Proclamation

The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, marked a significant turning point in the American Civil War. This executive order declared that all enslaved individuals in Confederate-held territory were to be set free. While it did not abolish slavery in the border states loyal to the Union, it aimed to weaken the Confederacy and push towards the abolition of slavery in the United States. Understanding its implications is essential for studying the social and political landscape of the United States during this period.

Which of the following statements best describes a primary outcome of the Emancipation Proclamation?