In the early years of the Civil War, slavery was still allowed in states other than the south. This would allow states loyal to the union to stay that way. The successful Antietam Campaign for the north, Lincoln gave a short statement. January 1, 1863, the formal Emancipation Proclamation was given. It freed only those slaves held in territory in rebellion It was designed to take away the Southern manpower in slaves. The Union cause overseas, especially in Britain was for the south. The British had outlawed slavery. The union felt that other countries would take their cause if there was no slavery in the north.