Final answer:
Congress passed two Confiscation Acts during the Civil War: the Confiscation Act of 1861 and a second one in July 1862. These acts allowed the Union to seize Confederate property and freed enslaved individuals in certain situations.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the American Civil War, Congress passed two Confiscation Acts as part of its efforts to undercut the Confederate war effort and address the issue of slavery. The first, called the Confiscation Act of 1861, allowed for the seizure of property used in support of the Confederacy, and this included enslaved people. The second, passed in July 1862, went further, extending freedom to enslaved people who had escaped or had been captured by Union forces, and also allowed for the confiscation of Confederate officials' property.
These acts represented a significant step by the Union government not just in curtailing civil liberties during wartime for those supporting the Confederacy, but also in making legislative moves towards the abolition of slavery. Notably, however, these acts did not represent a comprehensive solution to anti-war activities in the North, nor did they fully address the status of all enslaved individuals. President Lincoln's decision to suspend habeas corpus, allowing for the arrest and punishment of Confederate supporters without trial, further showed the government's dedication to suppressing the rebellion.