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The Emancipation Proclamation and 13th Amendment

What is the Emancipation Proclamation?

On the momentous day of Jan 1 1863 President Abraham Lincoln declared the Emancipation Proclamation. This Proclamation stated that all slaves in Rebel territory were free men and emphasized the enlisting of African Americans in the army. The Proclamation was a thunderbolt to the South which sent shockwaves in many ways, which will decisively be discussed on this page.

The Positive Effects in the North: The Emancipation Proclamation had both psychological and palpable affects upon the Federals. First off it gave them a cause to fight for, a damsel in distress, a tyrant to tackle. Secondly the estimated five hundred thousand escaped slaves were now free men and not only could they enlist, but were actually encouraged. An estimated one hundred and fifty thousand African Americans enlisted in the army, doing whatever they could to aid their fellow freedom fighters.
The Crushing Blow to the South: The South had been hit hard with a tactical maneuver by the ingenious Lincoln. Now their slaves were encouraged to flee from their masters to the welcoming North. Also international bonds with France and Britain had been severed. Internationally support of the South had been strong, however all European countries steadfast in their anti-slavery beliefs. Due to this they quickly sided with the Federals, stopping exports to the South.

International Portrayal of America at this point: Prior to this Proclamation America had been ridiculed and belittled; this was due to the internal feud taking place within America. However after this decisive maneuver the South were simply seen as the perpetrators and the North as the heroic and moral portion. The South began to lose morale and vigor in battles. Definitely the turning point in the Civil War can be symbolized in this Emancipation Proclamation.

The 13th Amendment

On December 6, 1865 Congress passed the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution. Slavery is now abolished across America.

Interesting Facts:
Since the proclamation only affected the states in rebellion, it didn't actually free any slaves. What it did do, however, was strengthen the Northern war effort. They now were fighting for a cause. By the end of the Civil War, over 500,000 slaves had escaped to the North, many of whom joined the Union Army, greatly increasing its man power.

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