UNIT 5
Decades of Change
LESSON 6
Politics in South Carolina
Politics in South Carolina has a long and complex history. From its early days as a colony to its significant role in shaping the Civil Rights Movement, South Carolina has been a key player on the national political stage. Today, South Carolina is known for its conservative politics and its influence in the Republican Party, but this wasn't always the case. In this lesson, we'll explore the history of politics in South Carolina and how it has evolved over time.
The Colonial Era and the Revolution
South Carolina was established as a British colony in 1663, and its early politics were shaped by the presence of powerful planters who controlled the economy and society. The colony functioned as a slave society, with enslaved Africans providing the labor that fueled the plantation economy.
During the Revolutionary War, South Carolina played a significant role in the fight for independence. The British army captured the state's largest city, Charleston, in 1780, but American forces defeated the British at the Battle of Cowpens in 1781 and ultimately drove them out of the state.
The Antebellum Period and the Civil War
After the Revolutionary War, South Carolina became a state and continued to rely on agriculture, particularly cotton production, as its primary source of wealth. The state's politics were dominated by wealthy planters who used their economic and social power to control the government.
In the lead-up to the Civil War, South Carolina was one of several Southern states that seceded from the Union in 1860 and 1861. The state played a significant role in the war, with many major battles fought on its soil. South Carolina was also the first state to fire on federal troops at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, which is often seen as the start of the Civil War.
Reconstruction and the Rise of Segregation
After the Civil War, South Carolina and the other Confederate states were brought back into the Union and underwent a period of Reconstruction. During this time, African Americans were granted more rights and freedoms than they had previously enjoyed, including the right to vote and hold office. However, Reconstruction came to an end in 1877, and Southern Democrats regained power in many states, including South Carolina.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, South Carolina, like many other Southern states, saw the rise of segregationist policies that sought to keep African Americans separate and unequal. These policies were enforced through Jim Crow laws that mandated racial segregation in public facilities, and through violence and intimidation by white supremacist groups such as the Ku Klux Klan.
The Civil Rights Movement and Political Realignment
During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, South Carolina played a significant role as both a site of struggle and a source of resistance. The state saw numerous protests, rallies, and acts of civil disobedience led by African American activists, as well as notable figures such as Congressman James Clyburn. At the same time, many white South Carolinians resisted desegregation and continued to support segregationist politicians and policies.
In the decades since the Civil Rights Movement, South Carolina has undergone significant political realignment. Once a stronghold of the Democratic Party, the state has shifted steadily toward the Republican Party, which now dominates its politics at both the state and national levels. Today, South Carolina is known for its conservative politics, its Christian evangelical base, and its prominent role in Republican presidential primaries.
Conclusion
Politics in South Carolina has been shaped by a complex and often troubling history, from the dominance of wealthy planters and the legacy of slavery to the violence and resistance of the Civil Rights Movement. Today, the state is a key player in national politics, with a deepening divide between conservative Republicans and progressive Democrats. As South Carolina continues to evolve politically, it is important to understand its past and the legacy that shaped its present.