"Nothing more"? How about the beginning of the end for slavery in America? It didn't say that all slaves outside the designated areas were forever to be enslaved. Rather it furthered a process that would result in their being freed. And not that long afterwards, either. The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery (at least formally) less than three years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
It didn’t end anything. It did nothing to free a single slave, it was a political document to prevent Europe from entering the war, Lincoln’s own words and writings on this topic confirm this.
The 13th ammendment abolished slavery, the Emancipation Proclamation was drafted and created to prevent the CSA’s from getting European support and breaking the northern blockades etc. This document was a briliant political move by Lincoln, without it Europe very likely enters the war on the side of the south, the blockades around the south are ended, and 2 very capable European navies and militaries enter the fray and any attempt at a war of attrition is impossible.
It was a shrewed and correct political move, but it did not free a single slave, nor was it intended or designed to.
Back to that ex post facto rationalization?
If the South had somehow rallied and successfully repelled the Union Invasion, then the Union would have been left with more Union-slavery Egg on it's face.
You can't use before the fact arguments to justify after the fact results. It's just logically nonsensical.
And here we are, still talking about "Slavery" instead of the main point. That Bill Clinton dodge is still paying dividends 150 years later.
The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery (at least formally) less than three years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
Lincoln could have done it in the Union States in 1861. Right? Right?