Review the turning point from the Civil War.

Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation

Which option most accurately analyzes the causation behind this turning point?

Union success at the Battle of Antietam gave Lincoln the confidence to issue a preliminary draft of the declaration.

Triumph at the Battle of Gettysburg rallied support for Congress to issue the decree, which freed slaves in rebelling states.


The implementation of the Anaconda Plan required that slaves in Southern states have the freedom to enlist in the Union war effort.


The failure of Lincoln’s “House Divided” speech to mend differences between proslavery and antislavery groups necessitated the declaration.

I know it isn't D, is it A?

Yes, A.

The snowplough problem will help you solve this.

Yes, the most accurate option that analyzes the causation behind Lincoln issuing the Emancipation Proclamation is A: Union success at the Battle of Antietam gave Lincoln the confidence to issue a preliminary draft of the declaration. The Union victory at the Battle of Antietam in September 1862 gave Lincoln a strategic advantage and boosted his confidence, prompting him to issue a preliminary draft of the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862. The final version of the proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863. This turning point in the Civil War marked a decisive shift toward the abolition of slavery.

Yes, the correct answer is A.

To understand the causation behind the turning point of Lincoln issuing the Emancipation Proclamation during the Civil War, we can analyze the options provided.

Option A states that the Union's success at the Battle of Antietam gave Lincoln the confidence to issue a preliminary draft of the declaration. This is an accurate analysis of the causation behind Lincoln's decision. The Battle of Antietam was a significant Union victory, which helped boost morale and provided Lincoln with the opportunity to take a stand against slavery. Following the battle, Lincoln issued the preliminary draft of the Emancipation Proclamation in September 1862, although it did not officially go into effect until January 1, 1863.

Option B mentions the Battle of Gettysburg rallying support for Congress to issue the decree, which freed slaves in rebelling states. While the Battle of Gettysburg was a significant turning point in the Civil War, it was fought after the Emancipation Proclamation had already been issued. Therefore, this option does not accurately explain the causation behind the turning point of Lincoln issuing the proclamation.

Option C suggests that the implementation of the Anaconda Plan required that slaves in Southern states have the freedom to enlist in the Union war effort. While the Anaconda Plan did aim to strangle the Confederate economy and weaken the Southern war effort, it did not directly require the freedom of slaves in order to be effective. Therefore, this option does not accurately analyze the causation behind the turning point.

In conclusion, option A, which highlights the Union success at the Battle of Antietam giving Lincoln the confidence to issue a preliminary draft of the Emancipation Proclamation, is the most accurate analysis of the causation behind this turning point in the Civil War.