Lincoln's plan was to weaken the Confederacy by freeing the slaves.
Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation during the American Civil War on January 1, 1863. The primary goal of the proclamation was to declare that all slaves in Confederate-held territory were to be set free. However, it is important to note that the Emancipation Proclamation did not immediately free all slaves, as it only applied to states that had seceded from the Union and were currently in rebellion.
Lincoln's plan for the war through the Emancipation Proclamation had several key objectives:
1. Moral and Political: By issuing the proclamation, Lincoln aimed to establish that the Civil War was not just about preserving the Union but also about expanding the cause of freedom. It elevated the war into a moral struggle against slavery and sought to rally public opinion both domestically and internationally, particularly in Europe, where Britain and France were considering recognizing the Confederacy.
2. Undermining the Confederacy: The proclamation aimed to undermine the economic and military strength of the Confederacy by freeing enslaved people, many of whom worked in support of the Southern war effort. It would have disruptive effects on the Southern labor force and weaken Confederate infrastructure.
3. Recruitment of Black Soldiers: The proclamation opened the doors for African Americans to join the Union Army and Navy, which significantly expanded the manpower available to fight against the Confederacy. Approximately 180,000 African American soldiers served in the Union forces, contributing significantly to the ultimate victory.
4. Moral Dilemma for the Confederacy: By declaring that all slaves in Confederate-held territory were to be free, Lincoln created a moral dilemma for the Confederacy, forcing them to either maintain their position on slavery or possibly lose international support by embracing emancipation.
Overall, Lincoln's plan through the Emancipation Proclamation was to strike a significant blow to the Confederacy's labor force, enlist African Americans in the Union Army, elevate the moral cause of the war, and create challenges for the Confederacy both domestically and internationally.