The Civil War had a multifaceted effect on Charleston, South Carolina. As a result of the American Civil War, the economy, agriculture, slavery, l he architecture and lifestyle of Charleston changed forever. Charleston, a site of great devastation during and after the American Civil War, took decades to recover. However, Charleston became the finest city in South Carolina. The American Civil War greatly affected Charleston's agriculture. During the Civil War, when Charleston's Confederates left the city and federal troops entered the city, the Confederates set fires and blew up many of their own supplies (including cotton, rice, and ammunition). The Confederates made this drastic choice to prevent the Union, once they had raided the city, from obtaining the supplies necessary to help them win the war. In Charleston, after the Civil War, barely a plantation remained suitable for planting. The agricultural system around Charleston survived thanks to freed African American slaves and poor whites who knew how to care for the crops. The hardy farmers continued to fight on their own and somehow managed to hold on to their piece of land and keep it producing crops once again (SC History of Agriculture). Subsequently, the American Civil War nearly destroyed the majestic architecture of Charleston's beautiful buildings. On July 10, 1863, the Union Army began its attack on Charleston and fighting continued for nearly two years. Many people lost their lives during the fighting and the bombings ruined many buildings ("Charleston surrendered"). Between the initial bombardment and the fire, when the Union bombarded Charleston, a fire was created so large that it virtually destroyed Broad Street. Evidence of the fire can still be found today. T...... half of the document ...... about slave labor while supporting yourself in an agrarian economy: relying on plantations and farms to support your economy (Hicks 13, 14, 17). On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed all slaves under Confederate control (Varhola 224). In conclusion, the American Civil War had a dramatic impact on Charleston in so many ways; agriculture, slavery, architecture, lifestyles and certainly economically. Charlestonians have proven that they can overcome dire circumstances and become a vibrant, economically strong, and productive society with beautiful gardens, stunning architecture, and a vibrant lifestyle that encourages travel and promotes cultural diversity. While the American Civil War caused great hardship and seemed to devastate Charleston in 1860, Southern pride and determination overcame adversity.