What significant document was issued to free slaves in Confederate states?

The Emancipation Proclamation is the significant document issued by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War that declared the freedom of all enslaved people in Confederate-held territory. This executive order, effective as of January 1, 1863, aimed to weaken the Confederacy by abolishing slavery in those states that were in rebellion against the Union. The Proclamation fundamentally altered the character of the Civil War, turning it into a struggle not just for the Union, but also for freedom.

Lincoln’s proclamation did not immediately free all enslaved individuals, as it applied only to those in states or areas that were in rebellion. However, it was a critical step towards the eventual abolition of slavery nationwide, which would be solidified by the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. By linking the war effort to the fight for freedom, the Emancipation Proclamation also allowed for the enlistment of African American soldiers into the Union Army, further bolstering the Union’s strength.

In contrast, other options like the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, and the Gettysburg Address address different historical contexts and issues; they do not pertain specifically to the emancipation of enslaved individuals in the Confederate states. The Bill of