What did the Emancipation Proclamation achieve?

The Emancipation Proclamation was a pivotal document issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863. Its primary achievement was the liberation of enslaved people in the Confederate states. By declaring that all slaves in states that were in rebellion against the Union were to be set free, the proclamation not only aimed to weaken the Confederacy's ability to wage war but also marked a significant shift in the Union's war aims. It effectively transformed the nature of the Civil War from a political struggle to maintain the Union into a battle for freedom.

This action laid the groundwork for the eventual passage of the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery throughout the entire United States. It’s important to note that while the Emancipation Proclamation did not immediately free all slaves, it was a crucial step toward ending slavery and reshaping the nation’s future. Other options, while significant historical events and concepts, do not accurately describe the specific achievements of the Emancipation Proclamation.