The aftermath of Antietam inspired renewed enlistment campaigns in the North.

Although the battle resulted in significant casualties, it was viewed as a strategic victory that lifted the spirits of the North. This perception led Union leaders to initiate campaigns urging more men to enlist, highlighting the necessity for additional troops to continue the struggle against the Confederacy. The release of the Emancipation Proclamation soon after the battle further ignited enthusiasm, as it presented the conflict in moral terms, inspiring many to support the Union cause and fight for freedom and unity.