What was the primary function of the Emancipation Proclamation during the Civil War?

The primary function of the Emancipation Proclamation during the Civil War was to encourage enslaved people to escape from bondage. Issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, the proclamation declared that all enslaved individuals in the Confederate states were to be set free. While it did not immediately free all enslaved people, it was a strategic war measure aimed at undermining the Confederate war effort by encouraging enslaved individuals to seek freedom and escape to Union lines.

This action had multiple effects: it allowed the Union army to recruit former enslaved individuals as soldiers, adding to their numbers and reinforcing the Union cause. The proclamation also redefined the war, turning it from a fight for the Union into a battle for freedom. By promoting the idea of emancipation, Lincoln aimed to weaken the Confederacy while boosting morale in the North and appealing to anti-slavery sentiments.

In contrast, the other options present different understandings of the document's impact. The Emancipation Proclamation did not abolish slavery permanently; that would require a constitutional amendment, which followed later with the 13th Amendment. The proclamation also did not establish geographical boundaries for the Confederate states or serve primarily as a means to secure financial support for the Union.