Emancipation Proclamation

          The Emancipation Proclamation was issued after the battle of Antietam. Antietam was a huge turning point in the war so Lincoln felt confident enough to announce it. This Proclamation was issued on January 1st 1863. It stated that those living in rebellious states were freed. Slaves living in border states were not freed. It was also issued for two other reasons. To try to make the South surrender and to give Union soldiers something else to fight for. This act also allowed "colored" soldiers to fight for the North. This added even more soldiers to the Union's army which was already outnumbering the confederates by nearly 2:1. If Lincoln did not issue this act he might not have been reelected in 1864. General McClellan then could have won the election and would promote peace. He would let the South stay as their own country and Things would be a lot different.