Emancipation Proclamation

This passage describes a very important document called the Emancipation Proclamation, which helped to abolish slavery.

Lexile Level: 600L

Categories: History

The Emancipation Proclamation was issued in September 1862. It was President Lincoln's idea during the Civil War. The policy gave slaves in the southern states their freedom. It went into effect in January, 1863. Since the slaves were now free, the policy invited them to join the northern troops. They could fight against their old masters. About 200,000 former slaves fought in the war. This policy changed the nature of the war. It had been a war to reunify the states. It became a war for freedom. This policy was also used to gain support in Europe. President Lincoln did not want France or England to see the southern states as a separate country. He wanted them to support the North. The policy helped the northern side gain approval. After the war, the 13th Amendment was based on this policy. The 13th Amendment ended slavery in the United States.