What impact did the Emancipation Proclamation have on the Civil War?

The Emancipation Proclamation significantly impacted the Civil War by declaring that all enslaved people in the Confederate states were to be set free. This executive order, issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, aimed to weaken the Confederacy's war effort, as it would deprive them of labor and bolster the Union's moral cause. The proclamation did not immediately free all enslaved individuals across the country but specifically targeted those in territories rebelling against the Union, marking a crucial step toward abolition. By changing the nature of the war to include the fight against slavery as a key objective, it also paved the way for the enlistment of African American soldiers in the Union Army, further strengthening the Union's forces.

The other choices do not accurately capture the nature and breadth of the Emancipation Proclamation’s effects. It did not end the war immediately, nor did it free all enslaved individuals outright, as it only applied to specific states. Additionally, while some may have viewed it as ineffective in the short term due to ongoing conflict, its long-term consequences were profound in shaping public sentiment and policy towards slavery and civil rights.