Emancipation refers to the process of freeing someone from restrictions or control. In history, it is most commonly associated with the Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War. This proclamation declared that all enslaved people in the Confederate states were to be set free, marking a significant step toward ending slavery in the United States. The concept of emancipation extends beyond just the abolition of slavery. It can also apply to various movements aimed at granting rights and freedoms to oppressed groups. For example, the women's suffrage movement sought to emancipate women by securing their right to vote, highlighting the ongoing struggle for equality and justice in society.