During which war was the Emancipation Proclamation issued?

The Emancipation Proclamation was issued during the Civil War, which took place between 1861 and 1865. This executive order was announced by President Abraham Lincoln on September 22, 1862, and officially took effect on January 1, 1863. Its primary purpose was to free enslaved individuals in the Confederate states that were in rebellion against the Union, marking a significant turning point in the war and American history as a whole. The Proclamation not only aimed to weaken the Confederacy but also signaled a broader commitment to the cause of abolition, helping to align the war effort with the principles of freedom and equality. Understanding this context highlights the importance of the Civil War in shaping the United States' trajectory toward recognizing and abolishing slavery.