What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, was a pivotal moment in American history as it declared that all enslaved individuals in Confederate states were to be set free. This executive order aimed not only to weaken the Confederacy by depriving it of labor but also to change the character of the Civil War into a fight for freedom. Although it did not immediately free all enslaved people, it was a crucial step toward the abolition of slavery and signified the federal government's commitment to the cause of emancipation.

This landmark proclamation also allowed for the enlistment of Black soldiers in the Union Army, further empowering the fight for freedom. By framing the war as not just a struggle for the Union but also a battle for emancipation, Lincoln fundamentally shifted the moral compass of the conflict and laid the groundwork for more comprehensive action against slavery, leading eventually to the Thirteenth Amendment.

The other options touch on significant historical events but are incorrect in relation to the specific action of the Emancipation Proclamation. Granting independence to the colonies pertains to the American Revolution, ending the Civil War refers to the overall conclusion of the conflict, and establishing the Bill of Rights is tied to the founding of the United States Constitution,