Why was it important for Lincoln to wait to issue the Emancipation Proclamation?
It could have caused revolts in the North
It was important to have popular support beforehand.
It could have ended the rebellion before Union victiry.
It may have caused Lincoln to lose reelection.
All of the above reasons were important for Lincoln to wait to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. By waiting, Lincoln was able to build support for the proclamation among the Northern population, which was necessary for politically and socially committing the North to the end of slavery. Additionally, waiting to issue the proclamation until after a significant Union victory (Antietam) allowed Lincoln to frame the proclamation as a strategic military maneuver rather than appearing to be a political maneuver. Finally, Lincoln waited until late 1862 to issue the proclamation, which allowed him to avoid the potential backlash from Northern Democrats who otherwise may have opposed the proclamation and cost him reelection in 1864.
