What was the consequences of the Battle of Antietam?

The Battle of Antietam, fought on September 17, 1862, resulted in a strategic victory for the Union, halting Confederate General Robert E. Lee's invasion of the North. It became the bloodiest single day in American history, with significant casualties on both sides. The battle's outcome gave President Abraham Lincoln the confidence to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, which transformed the Civil War's purpose into a fight against slavery and discouraged European powers from supporting the Confederacy. Additionally, it boosted Northern morale and recruitment efforts, marking a turning point in the war.