“It altered opportunities” versus “it allowed everyone to rise”

Here there is an important logical distinction.

When you say:

formal equality and emancipation allowed everyone to rise

you mean:

everyone was legally permitted to pursue a different economic position.

You do not mean:

everyone actually rose.

That is logically possible.

For example:

A university opens admission to everyone.

This means:

everyone is allowed to apply.

It does not mean:

everyone is admitted.

Similarly:

Legal emancipation allowed formerly enslaved people to participate as free workers.

It does not mean:

all formerly enslaved people became economically successful.

Therefore your proposition is about permission/opportunity, whereas the outcome depends upon resources and circumstances.

This is exactly why your distinction between “offering” and “no offering” matters.