After the Emancipation Proclamation was Signed
Issued on January 31, 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation declared, “All persons held as slaves within the rebellious states shall be, and henceforward, forever free.” Despite the broad wording, the Emancipation Proclamation was very limited; it only applied to the “Confederate” States of America. Confederate states were those that seceded from the Union ("United" States of America). They, along with Delaware, Kentucky, Missouri, and Maryland (non-confederate), were known as “slave states,” while the other states were known as “free states.” Even after the Emancipation Proclamation was declared, slavery continued to exist. It was not until the Thirteenth Amendment that slavery had been abolished.
Despite its limitations, the Emancipation Proclamation was powerful enough to free millions of slaves. The Emancipation Proclamation applied to 11 different states, all of which were part of the Confederacy. The Thirteenth Amendment ended slavery in Delaware, Kentucky, Missouri, Maryland, and all U.S territories. Numerous articles were released in celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Text
"That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, henceforward, and forever free; and the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom."
In my own words: On this year, 1863, every slave living in the Confederate states will be permanently freed. The Government will recognize the freedom of all former slaves, treat them with true freedom, and will not take away their freedom under any circumstances.
"And I further declare and make known, that such persons of suitable condition, will be received into the armed service of the United States to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other places, and to man vessels of all sorts in said service."
In my own words: All former slaves, who have good health, will serve in the United States army. They will serve to protect the United States try their best to fight through the war.
Historical Significance
The Emancipation Proclamation may not have abolished slavery, but it still freed a majority of slaves. The document led to the Thirteenth Amendment, so it indirectly ended slavery.
The Emancipation Proclamation also brought war benefits to the Union: Blacks were given the right to participate in the Civil War, of which over 200,000 of them did, and the Emancipation Proclamation helped prevent foreign countries from helping the Confederacy. Originally, the British and the French had considered aiding the Confederacy. The Emancipation Proclamation stopped that, but many of the White emancipation-supporters felt that the Emancipation Proclamation was too limited. A lot of them wanted freedom for all, not just the majority.
Through four arduous years (two for former slaves) of war, the Union managed to wipe out those who were in rebellion. It was then, everyone finally had justice.
The Emancipation Proclamation also brought war benefits to the Union: Blacks were given the right to participate in the Civil War, of which over 200,000 of them did, and the Emancipation Proclamation helped prevent foreign countries from helping the Confederacy. Originally, the British and the French had considered aiding the Confederacy. The Emancipation Proclamation stopped that, but many of the White emancipation-supporters felt that the Emancipation Proclamation was too limited. A lot of them wanted freedom for all, not just the majority.
Through four arduous years (two for former slaves) of war, the Union managed to wipe out those who were in rebellion. It was then, everyone finally had justice.