Well if we’re being honest with history it didn't. It only applied to confederate states outside of his ability to enforce. Slaves in border states were left out over the fear that they would change sides and join the south.
The argument that it allowed slaves to be free once they escaped north is a stretch since northern states had been ignoring the fugitive slave clause for years.
The EP was mostly bravado that allowed Lincoln to turn the war into a moral crusade; which ultimately helped him win. (Well that and Sherman torching every building he found.)
The 13th amendment is really what helped black Americans.
Well if we’re being honest with history it didn't. It only applied to confederate states outside of his ability to enforce. Slaves in border states were left out over the fear that they would change sides and join the south.
The argument that it allowed slaves to be free once they escaped north is a stretch since northern states had been ignoring the fugitive slave clause for years.
The EP was mostly bravado that allowed Lincoln to turn the war into a moral crusade; which ultimately helped him win. (Well that and Sherman torching every building he found.)
The 13th amendment is really what helped black Americans.