What surprises you about the text " emancipation proclamation "?

It is a surprise that the Emancipation Proclamation didn't include African American slaves that lived in the Union territory, but only included those who lived in the Confederate territories.

Explanation:

The Emancipation Proclamation was an Executive Order proclaimed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862, that entered into force in 1863 declaring slaves in rebellious southern states and territories freed forever.

The Civil War was a struggle for the preservation of the Union after the southern states had separated. Morale in the south was initially high, and people thought they were fighting for his independence and his own way of life; the right of individual states to set their own laws (including the right to keep slaves) was central.

Although initially President Lincoln was hesitant about the complete abolition of slavery, he changed his mind during the course of the war. He was convinced that slavery had to be abolished in order to win the war. This eventually resulted in the abolition of slavery in the rebellious Confederate States of America.

Although slave owners did not tell their slaves about the proclamation, many found out. More and more slaves escaped and revolted, and everywhere the Northern armies appeared the plantations emptied. This proclamation did not cause slaves to be released immediately, but it was a major step forward. The document stated to the whole world that the civil war was meant to put an end to slavery.