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In this first segment on ‘The Importance of Cotton,’ Dr. Peter Coclanis gives us a brief overview of South Carolina’s economic landscape, pre-Revolutionary War (1763). Before the American Revolution...
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With the invention of the “Cotton Gin” by Eli Whitney, combined with methods we would today call “scientific plant breeding,” the cotton industry boomed in South Carolina, in the early 19th century...
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With the success of cotton in South Carolina, entrepreneurs in other states looked to cash in on the success of cotton plantations. When the cotton economy and market-shares begin to decline in S.C...
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At the beginning of the war, South Carolinians prepared to fight in either Europe, or the Pacific. For many, their first taste of combat would be in North Africa. In this video segment, S.C. veterans...
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Walter Edgar begins by noting how Charleston played a crucial role in South Carolina’s economy. Dr. Coclanis then discusses the major exports from South Carolina. In the 18th century,rice was S.C.'s...
Video
The Tuskegee Airmen were African-American pilots during WWII. Before the war, the Army thought African-Americans could only be used as laborers. African-Americans faced all sorts of prejudice and...
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After the Civil War, and the end of slavery, cotton continued to remain as one of South Carolina’s mainstay crops, even well into the 20th century.
Interactive
Located in downtown Charleston, the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon is nationally recognized as one of our country’s most significant historical sites. Click play to view the tour on your device View...
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In this segment, Dr. Watson outlines the differences in management systems between rice plantations, and cotton plantations.
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Dr. Larry Watson discusses the motivations for South Carolina halting the importation of new slaves from Africa, between 1787 and 1803.