The Emancipation Proclamation
When the Civil War first broke out, the north's only goal was to bring the Union back together. Although, about halfway through the war, Abraham Lincoln made a decision that would change the course of the war: the Union was now fighting to abolish slavery. This decision was concluded, for two main reasons: abolitionists and allies. Since the beginning of the war, abolitionists had been urging Lincoln to end slavery, but he acted with caution and decided to wait because he didn't know how people would react. The second reason the Union decided to abolish slavery is because Britain and France would be more likely to ally with the Union if they were fighting to end slavery. The promise of more soldiers, resources, and money helped the Union reach their decision. As a result, on January 1, 1863, Abraham Lincoln proposed the Emancipation Proclamation. This document freed all slaves whose masters were fighting for the Confederacy. Although, this did not free the slaves immediately, they had to wait for the Union to win the Civil War.