South Carolina is one of the United States' great treasures.
From its founding in 1521, by Francisco Gordillo, to its royal
charter. As many people know, South Carolina has had a history
like no other state keeping with its neighbor, North Carolina,
in an effort to make its own decisions and not let someone else
make its decisions.
South Carolina was originally home to the Missipian culture also
called the Mound Builders about 900 years ago. Its dense population
included the Catawaba, Cherokee, and the Yamese tribes. Francisco
Gordillo "found" South Carolina in 1521 and built their
first settlement near Georgetown in 1526, which failed in 9 months.
The French then tried their hand in Carolina by the Hugenots (members
of the Protestant religion) founding a settlement on Parris Island
in 1562 which lasted until 1586.
In 1663, King Charles II granted the territory to 8 nobleman.
One of these nobleman named Lord Anthony Ashley Cooper, founded
Charleston in 1670. Carolina was mainly populated by settlers
from England and the island of Barbados. These citizens became
very important to South Carolina because they brought with them
the infamous Barbados slave code which allowed harsh penalties
for slaves for even the slightest infraction. From this, Carolina
reached a large population, about 5000, containing many African
slaves.
However, citizens were not happy with the government set up by
the proprietors because they refused to provide defense for the
area against the Spanish in Florida, and the Native American people,
the Yamese, who still densely inhabited the land. After the Yamese
War which occurred in the late 1680's and 1690's, the people of
South Carolina, overthrew the governor and in 1729 were made a
royal province.
By 1730, the population had reached 30,000 people and the colony
strived on maize, the lumber, turpentine, fur, and resin industries,
as well as the dye indigo. Many more people came to South Carolina,
from all different ethnic backgrounds including Germany, Ireland,
Scotland, and Switzerland. All these people united under mainly
the Presbyterian church because of the defeat of a 1704 act which
stopped the colony from having to adhere to the rites of the Church
of England. Also, not many families had slaves since the small
independent farmer dominated,and the large plantation owners did
not dominate the land.
South Carolina finally showed its independent spirit in 1693
by winning the right to initiate legislature. Later James Moore
was elected governor after the overthrow of the propriatory government.
In conclusion, South Carolina has had a dense history filled
with independence and rebellion. Throughout its history South
Carolina has been very important to the United States, and originally
the English settlers. Carolina grew greatly in its original years
and has had a multi-ethnic heritage. Carolina will be forever
known as one of the colonies which allowed England to gain a foothold
on the American continent and allowed Britain and the United States
to prosper to this day.
Bibliography
Author Unknown
Before freedom, when I just can remember : twenty-seven oral histories
of former South Carolina slaves Winston-Salem, N.C. : J.F. Blair,
c1989.
Author Unknown Chronology and documentary handbook of the State of South Carolina Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. : Oceana Publications, 1978, c1979.
Fields, Mamie Garvin Lemon Swamp and other places : a Carolina memoir New York : Free Press ; London : Collier Macmillan, c1983.
Hennig, Helen Kohn. Great South Carolinians Freeport, N.Y. : Books for Libraries Press, [1970-
http://www.southcarolina.com
"South Carolina" Microsoft Encarta 1998
"South Carolina" Grolier Encyclopedia Online