What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, was a pivotal document in American history that declared the freedom of all enslaved people in the states that were in rebellion against the United States, specifically the Confederate states. By doing so, the proclamation aimed to weaken the Confederacy's war efforts by freeing enslaved individuals, who were a crucial labor force.

This action also marked a significant shift in the Civil War, turning it into not just a fight to preserve the Union but also a battle for freedom and equality. It encouraged many African Americans to join the Union Army, further bolstering the North's capacity to fight. Although the Emancipation Proclamation did not immediately free all enslaved people in the nation, it laid the groundwork for future changes, including the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery altogether.

In contrast, the other options pertain to different historical events or legislative actions that occurred at separate times in American history. Ending World War I, granting women the right to vote, and establishing the Civil Rights Act are significant, but they do not relate to the specific purpose or impact of the Emancipation Proclamation.