Question

Why was Lincoln being advised to free the slaves?

The North was losing the war and needed help from the slaves.
The blockade of Southern ports was ineffective.
This would prevent the recognition of the Confederacy by England. What did Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation state?

Answer 1

Answer: This would prevent the recognition of the Confederacy by England. ... Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation stated that slavery would officially end. It also brought the Thirteenth Amendment which brought significance to the war, for now people were fighting to free slaves.

so it’s the number 1 “ The north was losing the war and needed help from the slaves“.