Final answer:
The Emancipation Proclamation, signed by Lincoln on January 1, 1863, proclaimed that slaves in the rebellious Confederate states were free, but immediately freed no slaves due to enforcement issues; slaves in Union states were not covered by the Proclamation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Emancipation Proclamation was a pivotal document in American history signed by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863. It declared that all slaves in Confederate states that were in rebellion against the Union "shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free." However, it is important to note that no slaves were immediately set free on that day due to the Union army's absence in Confederate territories, which limited enforcement of the directive. Furthermore, Union slaves, or those in border states and areas not in rebellion (like Kentucky), were not set free by this proclamation as their states were not under the qualifications set by the document.
Despite its limitations, the Emancipation Proclamation marked a dramatic shift towards ending slavery, with long-term implications including the enlistment of nearly 200,000 black soldiers into the Union army and setting a precedent that led to eventual abolition. Notably, it would take the passing of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution to fully abolish slavery in all states. The proclamation was both a strategic military act and a fundamental moral stance, aiming to weaken the Confederate force and solidify the Union's commitment to ending slavery.