Northerners opinions on abolishing slavery:
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In 1862, For several weeks Lincoln worked hard and finally wrote the Emancipation Proclamation. This was an order to free Confederate slaves. It only, strictly freed slaves in areas controlled by the Confederacy. Yet, it had little immediate effect. They couldn't apply it to the states in rebellion that were not under federal control. The impact of the document was more symbolic than real.
Lincoln wanted to be in a strong position in the war before announcing this document. The Battle of Antietam is just what he needed. He issued the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862. It went into effect on January 1, 1863