History Before 1865

The Old Plantation

South Carolina has a long history that encompasses many distinct cultures, from prehistory and colonization through the Civil War.

Explore the ways contemporary South Carolina has been shaped by the people, places, and events of yesterday.

Confederate artillery near Charleston, S.C., ca. 1863. Image from the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

  • First South Carolinians - Meet the Native Americans who first called South Carolina home.

  • Exploration & Colonization - Discover French, Spanish, and British colonies along the coast and find out how colonists explored, settled, and lived.

  • Revolution & New Nation - Soldiers, leaders, and statesmen from South Carolina were pivotal in our nation’s fight for independence.

  • Expansion & Reform - Learn more about the plantation system, politics, and culture of antebellum South Carolina.

  • Slavery - The cash crop economy of South Carolina relied on the slavery of African-Americans.

  • Civil War - From the Battle of Fort Sumter to Sherman’s March and Robert Smalls, South Carolina played a significant role in the American Civil War.

Find Out More

Search here to discover more about historical topics in DISCUS, SC’s Virtual Library.

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