ANSWER THIS PLEASE ASAP What is the Emancipation Proclamation and change the course of the war?

The Emancipation Proclamation was a historic executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War on January 1, 1863. Its primary purpose was to declare that all slaves in Confederate-held territory were to be set free. While it did not immediately free all enslaved individuals, the Emancipation Proclamation marked a significant shift in the war's objectives and had several important consequences:

1. Changed the War's Purpose: The proclamation redefined the goals of the Civil War. Initially, the war was primarily about preserving the Union, but the Emancipation Proclamation made the abolition of slavery a key objective. It transformed the conflict into a moral struggle against slavery and for the broader principle of human freedom.

2. Altered International Perception: The proclamation had diplomatic implications. By aligning the Union cause with the abolition of slavery, it made it more challenging for European powers, particularly Britain and France, to support the Confederacy. Many Europeans were abolitionists, and the Emancipation Proclamation garnered sympathy for the Union cause.

3. Encouraged African American Enlistment: The proclamation allowed African Americans to join the Union Army and Navy. Approximately 180,000 African American soldiers and sailors served in the Union forces, contributing significantly to the Union war effort.

4. Undermined the Confederacy: By targeting the institution of slavery, the Emancipation Proclamation aimed to weaken the economic and social foundations of the Confederacy. It encouraged slaves to escape to Union lines, disrupting the Southern labor force and resources.

5. Paved the Way for the 13th Amendment: The proclamation laid the groundwork for the eventual ratification of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1865, which formally abolished slavery throughout the United States.

While the Emancipation Proclamation did not immediately free all slaves, its symbolic and practical impact was profound, contributing to the broader transformation of the Civil War into a struggle for freedom and equality.