What impact did Lincoln's issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation have on the American People and on the country? Objective Evaluate provisions of the Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln's reasons for issuing it, and its significance. Explain the causes of the Civil War and evaluate the importance of slavery as a principal cause of the conflict by analyzing the Emancipation Proclamation. Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge opinions. Background The Battle of Antietam was the bloodie Duration: 90 Minutes.