South Carolina was an important key player during the Civil War. South Carolina had major military and political importance throughout the Civil War. South Carolina was the scene of many important events during this time. Like the storming of Port Royal, the Union blockade of Charleston, Sherman's march across the state, the burning of Columbia, and Fort Sumter. South Carolina saw many significant battles on its home turf, Fort Sumter. Fort Sumter is an island in Charleston Harbor whose primary purpose was to protect the harbor. The Confederacy believed that the Port of Charleston would be a key port in this region. When the first shots were fired at Fort Sumter by Confederate soldiers, one of the darkest periods in American history began. South Carolina seceded from the Union in December 1860, General Robert Anderson and his troops were stationed at Fort Moultrie. They didn't think Fort Moultrie was safe enough, so he had a plan to move his troops to Fort Sumter. The Union commander was Robert Anderson and the Confederate commander was PGT Beauregard. Anderson had moved his troops from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter. Shortly after arriving at the fort, Anderson realized that he only had a few weeks' worth of food left. Confederate soldiers came and surrounded the fort and demanded that Anderson turn the fort over to them. Anderson was beginning to run out of combat supplies and food. General Beauregard thought the Union would leave the South Carolina fort but Anderson refused. Beauregard threatened the Union to surrender but they did not, then the shooting began. Anderson finally realized that there was no hope for them to win this battle, he then surrendered the South to...... middle of paper ... to win the war. The Union blockade of Charleston occurred when the enemy fleet took control of Charleston Harbor. Sherman's march through South Carolina was a path of destruction ranging from ransacking people and homes to burning buildings. When Sherman set Columbia on fire, it marked the end of this horrible war. After Sherman burned the city, the Confederacy was so desperate there, lost city. This ultimately caused the Confederacy to surrender to the union. The Civil War was a very dark period in American history. One of the bloodiest wars this country has ever known. South Carolina played an important role during this war, from the battles to their ports and then the burning of the capital. This war was a very traumatic time for Americans, but in my opinion, I believe that if this war had not happened, we would not be the strong, free and courageous country that we are today..