Final answer:
The Confiscation Acts of 1861-1862 were designed to legalize the confiscation of property from Confederate sympathizers and aided the Union's efforts during the Civil War.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of the Confiscation Acts of 1861-1862 was to legalize the confiscation of property from Confederate sympathizers. These acts allowed the Union to seize property, including slaves, used by the Confederacy. The Confiscation Act of 1861 empowered the Union to seize property used to support the Confederate war effort, and a subsequent act in 1862 extended freedom to escaped and captured slaves, thus defining the status of formerly enslaved people.
The correct answer to the question, 'Which of the following options correctly summarizes the purpose of the Confiscation Acts of 1861-1862?' is A. To legalize the practice of confiscating property from Confederate sympathizers.