Final answer:
The Emancipation Proclamation received mixed reactions, with some abolitionists praising it while others opposed it. Confederate leaders condemned the proclamation, and enslaved people were hopeful. The proclamation had far-reaching effects in weakening support for the Confederacy and advancing the abolition of slavery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Emancipation Proclamation was met with mixed reactions when it was first released. Some abolitionists in the North praised the measure, as they saw it as the fulfillment of their campaign against slavery. However, other Northerners, especially those with racist beliefs and fears of job competition, were opposed to the idea of emancipation. Confederate leaders vehemently denounced the proclamation, while enslaved people were hopeful about the eventual end of their bondage.
Overall, the Emancipation Proclamation had significant effects, including the recruitment of nearly 200,000 black soldiers to bolster the Union ranks and the weakening of the British government's support for the Confederacy. It also marked a pivotal moment in the abolition of slavery, as President Lincoln shifted the objective of the war towards ending slavery.