Early Inhabitants and European Settlement

The land that is now South Carolina was originally home to indigenous tribes such as the Cherokee, Creek, and Catawba. European settlers arrived in the late 16th century, and the English established a permanent colony at Charleston in 1670. Charleston grew into a major port and became the most important trade hub in the Southern Colonies.

Role in the American Revolution

South Carolina played a critical role in the American Revolution, serving as a center of resistance against British rule. The colony was the site of major battles, including the Battle of Camden and the Battle of Cowpens, the latter being a significant Patriot victory.

NPS video on the Revolutionary War in South Carolina

Statehood and Antebellum Era

After the Revolution, South Carolina was among the first states to ratify the U.S. Constitution. The state’s economy relied heavily on slavery and agriculture, particularly cotton. For much of the 18th and 19th centuries, over half of the population were enslaved individuals.

Secession and Civil War

South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union in 1860, setting the stage for the Civil War. The war’s first shots were fired at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor in 1861. The state suffered devastating destruction when Union troops burned much of it near the end of the war.

NPS Video on Fort Sumter

Reconstruction and Modernization

After the Civil War, South Carolina was placed under military rule before being readmitted to the Union in 1868. The late 19th and early 20th centuries brought significant changes, including the decline of agriculture and the rise of manufacturing. The 20th century saw rapid urbanization, industrial growth, and population expansion.

South Carolina Today

Modern South Carolina is a dynamic state with a strong economy, growing cities, and a rich cultural heritage that reflects its complex history.

Discussion Questions

1. Why was Charleston such an important port in the Southern Colonies?
2. How did South Carolina’s reliance on slavery shape its economy and society?
3. Why do you think South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union?
4. How did South Carolina change economically and socially during the 20th century?

Glossary

• Secession: The act of formally withdrawing from a political union.
• Ratify: To formally approve and make valid a legal document or agreement.
• Reconstruction: The period after the Civil War when Southern states were reorganized and reintegrated into the Union.
• Urbanization: The growth of cities and the movement of people from rural to urban areas.

Five Interesting Facts

1. South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union in 1860.
2. The first shots of the Civil War were fired at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor.
3. For much of its early history, more than half of South Carolina’s population were enslaved people.
4. Charleston was the most important port in the Southern Colonies during the colonial era.
5. The state experienced major economic shifts from agriculture to manufacturing and industry in the late 19th and 20th centuries.

Timeline of Important Events

• Late 1500s: European explorers arrive in the region.
• 1670: English settlers establish Charleston.
• 1775–1783: South Carolina plays a major role in the American Revolution.
• 1788: Ratifies the U.S. Constitution.
• Early 1800s: Cotton becomes the dominant crop.
• 1860: South Carolina secedes from the Union.
• 1861: First shots of the Civil War fired at Fort Sumter.
• 1865: Union forces burn much of the state during Sherman’s march.
• 1868: Readmitted to the Union during Reconstruction.
• Late 1800s: Growth of textile manufacturing begins.
• 1900s: Decline of agriculture and rise of industry and urbanization.
• 1960s: Civil Rights Movement impacts South Carolina.
• Today: South Carolina is a diverse state with a strong economy and cultural heritage.