The Emancipation Proclamation
On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. This document, though it was very limited, stated that "all persons held as slaves" in the Rebel states (Confederates) "are, and henceforward shall be free."
This document was limited to only freeing the slaves in the Confederate states rather than slavery in the loyal slave-holding states as well. However, the Emancipation Proclamation captured the hearts of may Americans and changed the character and course of the Civil War.
For more information and to see the document, the link is below.
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/emancipation_proclamation/
This document was limited to only freeing the slaves in the Confederate states rather than slavery in the loyal slave-holding states as well. However, the Emancipation Proclamation captured the hearts of may Americans and changed the character and course of the Civil War.
For more information and to see the document, the link is below.
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/emancipation_proclamation/