The Emancipation Proclamation did have an impact on which foreign nations supported the North or South during the American Civil War. The Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 and declared that all slaves in the Confederate states were to be freed. This declaration was seen as a major victory for the North, as it demonstrated their commitment to abolishing slavery. As a result, foreign nations such as Great Britain, France, and Russia were more likely to support the North, as they were seen as the side that was fighting for freedom. Conversely, the Confederate states were seen as defending the institution of slavery, which made them less likely to receive support from foreign nations.