Charleston was where the first shots were fired to start the Civil War. South Carolina was the first state to pull out of the United States just two weeks after Lincoln was elected president. South Carolina was also one of the richest states. Many of the wealthiest men in America lived in Charleston.
Charleston was the hub of trade in the southern states. Blacks made up over 60% of the population. The majority of them were slaves. At the time of the Civil War, there were 40 slave trading houses in a 4 block radius in the center of town.
Many of the northern colonies were settled by people looking for religious freedom or to make a better life for themselves. Charleston was founded for the sheer purpose of making money and that it did.
Initially, the rich brought in white, indentured servants but they died from the hard work in the heat and swamps. African slaves survived much better in the horrible work conditions so they were imported. Millions of people were imported via the Charleston harbor.
When the importation of slaves was outlawed, Charleston became the trading center for domestic slaves. This continued until the Union Army took Charleston.
When the Civil War ended and slavery was abolished, Charleston was bankrupt. After years of slums, they began to redefine themselves and rebuild to be what they have become today. A beautiful city, full of the nicest, most polite people I have ever met.
Slavery was such an ugly part of our countries history. Jim and I were once again thankful to see that the museums and guides were trying to be non-biased. Showing all sides. Reminding Jim and I that not much has changed over the years. The issues are different but human nature is the same…
It is easier to solve other people’s problems than our own.
If you don’t like what is going on, send it indoors so no one has to see it.
Finding a solution to a problem is easy until you have all the facts.
The history books were written by the educated and published by the rich.
No one wants to hear about the repressed. It is depressing.
People will tell you what they want you to hear. Good luck obtaining the facts.
Life is not warm and fuzzy. It is messy. We need to face the mess so we can strive for warm and fuzzy.
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