The Museum in the Exchange building also included some exhibits and history about the role that slavery played in the life and economy of Charleston and other states of America.
Slavery began in Virginia in 1619 and it grew and flourished in the plantation economy of the South where the 
cultivation of cotton and the making of indigo dye became lucrative but labour-intensive exports for the demanding European market. Slave traders often used shackles to restrain enslaved people being transported in large chain-gangs. Slaves were made to shuffle distances ranging from a few kilometres to several hundred, over land or by steamship. Once the slaves reached their destination point, the shackles were removed in order to make them appear healthier so that the slave traders could gain the highest possible price. Slave auctions were held regularly in Charleston either outside the Exchange building or in the Great Hall when the weather was inclement. Slaves had no rights. They were the property of those who bought them. They worked long hours for no wages and could be sold-on for profit or hired out for fees that the owners collected as income. They were often mistreated, abused, imprisoned and their offspring were considered the owners property to use as they chose.
cultivation of cotton and the making of indigo dye became lucrative but labour-intensive exports for the demanding European market. Slave traders often used shackles to restrain enslaved people being transported in large chain-gangs. Slaves were made to shuffle distances ranging from a few kilometres to several hundred, over land or by steamship. Once the slaves reached their destination point, the shackles were removed in order to make them appear healthier so that the slave traders could gain the highest possible price. Slave auctions were held regularly in Charleston either outside the Exchange building or in the Great Hall when the weather was inclement. Slaves had no rights. They were the property of those who bought them. They worked long hours for no wages and could be sold-on for profit or hired out for fees that the owners collected as income. They were often mistreated, abused, imprisoned and their offspring were considered the owners property to use as they chose. 
In 1808, twenty the United States banned the international slave trade but despite government efforts, it is estimated that a quarter of a million Africans were smuggled into the country from 1880 until the Civil War which began on April 12, 1861. Unless traders were caught smuggling of slaves continued subversively. By 1850 Charleston's population was about 6 million which included 350,000 slaves owned by many residents. Many new states which joined the union were known as "free states" since they did not introduce slavery because of the banning of international trafficking of African peoples. However, the states that already had a thriving slave population continued to trade in slavery within and across the "slave states". In the north, where the economy was thriving from industrialisation and an influx of European migrants with skills needed to enhance the fledging industries slaves trading decreased. Seven out of eight European immigrants settled in the north and became a strong influence for the abolition of slavery. Slavery had been abolished in Britain and many European countries in the early 1800's through the rise of the Abolitionist Movement led by William Wilberforce and others. In 1852 the Abolitionist cause was further bolstered by the publication of "Uncle Tom's Cabin", an anti slavery novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe.
Whilst the causes of the Civil War were a complex mix, slavery played a principal part in fuelling the sparks of discontent. Abolitionists from the both the "free" states and the north did not agree that the government should support the continuation of slavery and they agitated for ridding the country of a 2 partisan economy. Abraham Lincoln's election platform opposed the expansion of slavery and argued for the abolition of slavery in all states and territories. In 1860 when a bill outlawing slave ownership was proposed, South Carolina and ten other states seceded from the union and set themselves up as a confederacy of states so that slavery could be continued.
We learnt much more information about the effects of the slave trade and its' role in the Civil War when we joined an afternoon tour to Fort Sumner which is a short ferry ride from Charleston Harbour. Fort Sumter was built on an island in Charleston harbour, as a defence against a sea invasion. Construction began in a time when slavery within some America states was 'legal' under US and South Carolina law. The US Army Corps and Engineers often contracted with slave owners to provide labourers for the forts' construction. Recently discovered records, document that 20 slaves were among the workers who constructed the granite foundations of the fort between 1827 and 1839. Enslaved African Americans made grey bricks from the abundant clay deposits in the Charleston area. In 1850, nine million bricks were made by 288 slaves. These were used in the construction of many of the substantial buildings around Charleston and were also supplied for buildings to be erected within the Fort Sumter walls. However, by 1860 when Charlestown seceded from the union the fort was incomplete.tes
When we arrived at Fort Sumter we were given a short history of the significance of this tiny island fort and then we were able to roam the grounds with its bunkers, canons, gun-powder storage room and a purpose built museum where we viewed a model of Fort Sumter in the 1800's. We also saw many Civil War paintings, letters, weapons, uniforms and other interesting memorabilia. of We learnt that after South Carolina joined the Confederacy of 11 secession states the South Carolina Governor demanded that the Union soldiers, who were building the fort, evacuate immediately and surrender it to the Confederate army in Charleston. This directive was ignored so in the early hours of April 12, 1861 the Confederate soldiers fired a mortar shell from Fort Johnson in Charlestown. It burst over Fort Sumter, inaugurating the American Civil War.
Confederate forces bombarded the fort for 34 hours, forcing the Federal garrison to surrender. For the next four years Fort Sumter remained a Confederate stronghold despite frequent Union attempts to recapture it. Whilst on our tour of the fort we also learned that during the Civil War, engineers had the power to impress slaves for up to 6 months to build and repair the fortifications on Fort Sumter. Without enslaved labour, holding the fort would not have been possible during the Civil War, where up to as many as 450 slaves were forced to work mostly at night.
During the longest and most intensive artillery siege on Sumter from August 1863 to February 1865 many slaves were wounded or died. Ironically slave owners received payment from the government for slaves who were impressed into serving in the army. These owners could apply for compensation "for loss of property" for any slaves injured or killed during the Civil War.
The 587 day siege ended with Fort Sumter being virtually demolished by February 1, 1865, near the end of the Civil War. The Confederates abandoned the island fort leaving Federal troops to reclaim it.
What a sad and senseless war! Over 620,000 Americans died from combat, 
accident, starvation and disease during the Civil War, and hundreds of thousands were maimed or scared for life. It is a staggering fact that more Americans were killed during the battles that raged between 1861 and 1865 than in every other American military conflict combined.
accident, starvation and disease during the Civil War, and hundreds of thousands were maimed or scared for life. It is a staggering fact that more Americans were killed during the battles that raged between 1861 and 1865 than in every other American military conflict combined.
As we wandered around the peaceful grounds of the now partially restored Fort Sumter( rebuilt after the Civil War) we had a greater understanding of a slice of American history and of the blight and misery that slavery and war bring to mankind. Our own history has shame and repercussions even today where our indigenous people still struggle with the impact that 1788's invasion brought to their ancestors. Reconciliation is a long process that needs to be lived out as new generations come to understand and embrace that all peoples have value and worth because we have all been made in God's image and our diversity and creativity is to be celebrated and shared, not compared and devalued.
True reconciliation can be found in Jesus who loves us unconditionally, warts and all. Loves us so much that he died to redeem us, to set bring us back into a right relationship with God and mankind.
Just 2 weeks after our visit to Charlestown Hurricane Arthur caused flooding, inundation and damage as winds of over 200mph hit Charleston and other South Carolina towns. We recall how low-lying the area around Charleston is and that Fort Sumter whilst it has a wall around the island, it too is not far above sea level.
