Question

Did Lincoln free the slaves? Or did the slaves free themselves? Explain with evidence.

Answer 1

Just one month after writing this letter, Lincoln issued his preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, which announced that at the beginning of 1863, he would use his war powers to free all slaves in states still in rebellion as they came under Union control.

Hope this helps

Answer 2

No. He did issue the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which freed the slaves in the Confederacy. The proclamation was sent out to newspapers and read aloud to crowds of people. But Lincoln couldn't really enforce the laws in the ConfederateStates, since the Confederacy had its own president. The Thirteenth Amendment would officially free the slaves shortly after Lincoln's death in 1865.