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Although the Emancipation Proclamation did not immediately free a single slave, it fundamentally transformed the character of the war. After January 1, 1863, every advance of federal troops expanded the domain of freedom. Moreover, the Proclamation announced the acceptance of black men into the Union Army and Navy, enabling the liberated to become liberators. By the end of the war, almost 200,000 black soldiers and sailors had fought for the Union and freedom.

Although the Emancipation Proclamation did not immediately free a single slave, it fundamentally transformed the character of the war. After January 1, 1863, every advance of federal troops expanded the domain of freedom. Moreover, the Proclamation announced the acceptance of black men into the Union Army and Navy, enabling the liberated to become liberators. By the end of the war, almost 200,000 black soldiers and sailors had fought for the Union and freedom.

Also, although the Emancipation Proclamation is commonly thought of as the document that freed the slaves in North America, it is also thought of as a political device used by [[Abraham Lincoln]] to dissuade the British and French from openly supporting the South.  The British and French looked down upon slavery and if they then came in on the side of the Confederacy, it would appear as if they were supporting slavery.  Thus, France and Britain had to support the south in secret, by sending money and supplies through the Union blockades, Britain even accepted the surrender of several confederate naval ships, after the war had ended.   

Also, the Emancipation Proclamation is commonly thought of as the document that freed the slaves in North America.  However, it is also thought of as a political device used by [[Abraham Lincoln]] to dissuade the British and French from openly supporting the South.  The British and French looked down upon slavery and so if they then helped Confederacy, it would appear to their citizens as if they were supporting slavery.  Thus, France and Britain had to support the south in secret, by sending money and supplies through the Union blockades, Britain even accepted the surrender of several confederate naval ships, after the war had ended.   

From the first days of the Civil War, slaves had acted to secure their own liberty. The Emancipation Proclamation confirmed their insistence that the war for the Union must become a war for freedom. It added moral force to the Union cause and strengthened the Union both militarily and politically. As a milestone along the road to slavery's final destruction, the Emancipation Proclamation has assumed a place among the great documents of human freedom.

From the first days of the Civil War, slaves had acted to secure their own liberty. The Emancipation Proclamation confirmed their insistence that the war for the Union must become a war for freedom. It added moral force to the Union cause and strengthened the Union both militarily and politically. As a milestone along the road to slavery's final destruction, the Emancipation Proclamation has assumed a place among the great documents of human freedom.