why was it important for Lincoln to wait to issue the emancipation proclamation?

Answer 1

Lincoln wanted to wait to issue the Emancipation Proclamation until the Union had a major victory in the Civil War. He wanted to make sure that the Union had a strong position before making such a bold move. He also wanted to make sure that the Proclamation would be seen as a military necessity, rather than a moral one. This would help to ensure that the Proclamation would be seen as a legitimate act of war, rather than a humanitarian gesture.