Emancipation Proclamation Dbq

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The Emancipation Proclamation was one of the most important federal orders to be released in the history of the United States. After it took effect on January 1, 1863, it was able to free slaves in areas under Confederate control, and authorize the recruitment of freed slaves and free blacks as Union soldiers. This was a great attribute; however there was a huge disadvantage that followed along with it. In The American Yawp, edited by Joseph Locke and Ben Wright, it is stated “There were significant exemptions to the Emancipation Proclamation including the border states, and parts of other states in the Confederacy.” Naturally, the states in rebellion did not act on Lincoln’s order, and people who lived in the border states had no option. Due to this, the proclamation at first mainly proved to be ineffective. However, it did show Americans—and the world—that the Civil War was now being fought to end slavery. …show more content…
After two and a half years, approximately 180,000 freed slaves and blacks fought in the Union army, making a vital contribution to the Union victory as well as their own freedom. These numbers were amazing, considering that “Black soldiers in the Union army endured rampant discrimination and earned less pay than white soldiers, while also facing the possibility of being murdered or sold into slavery if captured.” Even with all of the discrimination and the risks, blacks and slaves were still encouraged by the proclamation to continue to fight and contribute in all ways possible in order to defeat the