Charleston is where the Civil War began on April 12, 1861with the bombardment of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor. Residents of the city were ardent secessionists and the several local politicians consider in a  group of southern leaders called the "Fireeaters" desiring independence at any cost. With its local river plantations the slave ecomomy was a major part of its local weatlh, as well as being one of the major harbors of the South. For more on the history of Charleston go here.