Final answer:
The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by Abraham Lincoln, declared slaves in Confederate states free, disrupting the South's economy and contributing to the Union's war effort by allowing for the enlistment of black soldiers. Its international and military impacts helped to shift the purpose of the war towards the abolition of slavery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Emancipation Proclamation's Impact on Slavery and the Civil War
When Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in January 1863, it was a pivotal action with significant strategic implications for the Civil War. However, it freed only slaves in rebellious states, leaving those in Union-held territories and Border States still in bondage. As the Union armies advanced, the Proclamation encouraged slaves to flee plantations, disrupting the Southern economy and labor system. Union forces witnessed a vast movement of self-liberating slaves, who were often willing to support the Union effort. This helped bolster Union forces, as nearly 200,000 black soldiers were eventually recruited. The Proclamation also affected international relations, as it deterred British recognition of the Confederacy. With its focus on disrupting Confederate resources and reshaping the war aims with the destruction of slavery, the Proclamation was a cornerstone in redefining the purpose of the war and paving the way for the eventual abolition of slavery.
The Emancipation Proclamation had limitations but was undoubtedly a leap forward towards ending slavery and had a considerable impact on the course and outcome of the Civil War.