Through the hardship of Reconstruction, the city showed resilience. Freed African Americans built communities, opened schools, and participated in politics, despite facing intense resistance and violence. As the years progressed, Charleston endured Jim Crow segregation but continued to grow, preserving its rich history while adapting to change. The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s sparked local activism, and by 1975, Charleston had laid the foundation for a more inclusive future. Its strength came from the perseverance of its people, who worked to rebuild, reclaim, and redefine their city across a century of transformation.