My theory is the {Intent} was to shorten the war. The E.P. was too late to influence England and France because Lee's failed invasion in Pennsylvania sealed the fate of that potential turning point. And the E.P. was certainly not a good political move with Northeners who overwhelmingly went to war for the "preservation of the Union" rather than to free any slaves. The only logical purpose was to incite a slave revolt against Southerners, especially civilians, and that failed. Instead, it was a boost to Southern resolve....to their morale. Lincoln was a role model for modern Progressives. The end justified the means and there was no moral justification for the E.P. The celebration of Lincoln as a proponent of civil rights is a gross distortion of reality. Lincoln despised the Constitution as much as Obama.