What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

The Emancipation Proclamation was a significant executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War, and it played a crucial role in the fight against slavery. Its primary purpose was to declare the freedom of all enslaved persons in the states that were in rebellion against the Union, known as the Confederate states. This proclamation changed the legal status of enslaved people in those states from "slave" to "free."

Although the Emancipation Proclamation did not immediately free all enslaved people in the United States—since it specifically targeted the states in rebellion—it was a vital step toward the eventual abolition of slavery throughout the country. It also allowed for the enlistment of African American soldiers in the Union Army, further strengthening the Union's position in the war.

In the context of the other answer choices, the Emancipation Proclamation is distinct from events like the conclusion of the Revolutionary War, women's suffrage, and the establishment of a national bank, which pertain to entirely different historical contexts and legislative actions.