What if prior to January 1863 (the date of the EP) the Union has either already won the American Civil War or is simply in the process of mopping up? Would Lincoln be able to apply Emancipation to his war aims or a full blown abolition of slavery?
IOTL Lincoln was eventually able to weave slavery into his primary war goal, the preservation of the Union and did so very skilfully to avoid alienating Copperheads and the Border States. However a big part of what allowed him to the do this was the length and cost of the war.
Emancipation only effected those slaves still behind enemy lines at first, so even if he does pass it, it might only effect the Deep South.
Could we see slavery survive in various states even with a Union victory?
IOTL Lincoln was eventually able to weave slavery into his primary war goal, the preservation of the Union and did so very skilfully to avoid alienating Copperheads and the Border States. However a big part of what allowed him to the do this was the length and cost of the war.
Emancipation only effected those slaves still behind enemy lines at first, so even if he does pass it, it might only effect the Deep South.
Could we see slavery survive in various states even with a Union victory?