What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

The Emancipation Proclamation was a pivotal executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, during the Civil War. This proclamation declared that all enslaved people in the Confederate states were to be set free. While it did not abolish slavery throughout the entire United States—that task was ultimately handled by the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution—it was a significant step towards freedom for millions of enslaved individuals and redefined the purpose of the Civil War to include the fight against slavery.

The significance of the Emancipation Proclamation lies in its role as a moral compass and a legal instrument that shifted the war's focus from merely preserving the Union to also embracing the cause of liberty and human rights. Additionally, it allowed for the enlistment of Black soldiers into the Union Army, bolstering its ranks and supporting the fight for freedom.

The other options do not correctly represent the purpose or effect of the Emancipation Proclamation. It did not end the Civil War directly, nor did it grant women the right to vote or establish civil rights for all citizens as comprehensive legislation would do later on. Instead, it stands as a landmark decree that set the stage for future civil rights advances.