text: what did the emancipation proclamation do and why was it issued? was this the reason civil war was fought, or a political act to end an ongoing war? the emancipation proclamation was a declaration that abraham lincoln issued in 1862 (the preliminary proclamation) the final proclamation was issued in january of 1863. it freed slaves in confederate territory that were still in rebellion. the proclamation changed the war objectives of the north. it was a step to completely abolish slavery, reuniting the nation wasn't the entire objective any longer. they wanted to form a "more perfect union."