AP US History in 1 Minute Daily: Emancipation Proclamation (Day 140/309)

Hey APUSHers, let’s chat about the Emancipation Proclamation as part of my series- APUSH in 1 Minute Daily!

The Rail Candidate, Wikimedia Commons

At the outset of the war, Lincoln’s stated position was to preserve the Union. However, with pressure from abolitionists and momentum built after the Battle of Antietam, Lincoln issued a limited Emancipation Proclamation.

Emancipation Proclamation, Wikimedia Commons

Due to his fears about angering border states that fought with the Union but still had slavery and uncertainties over his constitutional authority to do so, the Emancipation Proclamation only applied to the Confederacy.

Effect of the Proclamation, University of Michigan

So, as far as actually freeing enslaved persons, the Emancipation Proclamation had a minimal impact. However, many African Americans subsequently fled to Union lines or were freed by the Union Army.

4th United States Colored Infantry, Wikimedia Commons

Additionally, African Americans would now be allowed to fight in the Union Army. With around 200,000 enlistments, African Americans provided a massive boost to the war effort.

While the Emancipation Proclamation directly freed very few enslaved persons, it shifted the purpose of the war from preserving the Union to emancipation. This ideological shift plus the massive enlistments of African Americans helped spur the North to victory.

Join me tomorrow as I explain the Gettysburg Address in the next APUSH in 1 Minute Daily!