What was a major consequence of the Emancipation Proclamation?

The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, was a significant moment in American history because it transformed the character of the Civil War and set the stage for the eventual abolition of slavery. While option B suggests that it led to the abolition of slavery in border states, the primary effect of the proclamation was to free enslaved individuals specifically in the Confederate states that were in rebellion against the Union.

The correct answer focuses on the context of the Emancipation Proclamation, which did not directly abolish slavery in border states (like Kentucky and Missouri) that remained loyal to the Union. Instead, it declared that all enslaved people in confederate territories were to be set free. This strategic move aimed to weaken the Confederacy while also allowing for the possibility of enslaved people escaping to Union lines, thereby bolstering the Union’s manpower.

The other options provide context to understand the significance but are not accurate consequences of the Emancipation Proclamation itself. The end of World War II and the declaration of war on Britain relate to entirely different historical events and timelines. The start of the Civil War occurred before the Emancipation Proclamation, marking it as a foundational event rather than a consequence of the proclamation.