What was the Emancipation Proclamation?

The Emancipation Proclamation was an executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863. This order declared the freedom of all enslaved people in the Confederate states that were in rebellion against the Union. It was a pivotal moment in American history, as it transformed the Civil War from a conflict primarily about preserving the Union into a battle for freedom and the abolition of slavery.

Lincoln's use of executive power was significant, as it allowed him to act unilaterally in a time of war, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Although the proclamation did not immediately free all enslaved people—since it only applied to those in the rebellious states and not the border states loyal to the Union—it did pave the way for the eventual abolition of slavery throughout the entire country with the 13th Amendment.

While the other options may present aspects related to the topic, they do not accurately reflect the nature of the Emancipation Proclamation. There was no law passed by Congress freeing all slaves at that time; instead, Lincoln's proclamation was a strategic war measure. Additionally, it was not a speech delivered at the Lincoln Memorial, nor was it a treaty with Southern states, as it did not involve negotiations or agreements with se