Fort Sumter symbolizes Federal authority for the Union.

Fort Sumter symbolized Federal authority for the Union during the early stages of the Civil War. Located in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, the fort was a crucial federal stronghold. Its attack by Confederate forces on April 12, 1861, represented a direct challenge to the authority of the federal government. For the Union, defending Fort Sumter became a matter of upholding federal control over its properties and asserting national unity. The fort's significance extended beyond its physical location, embodying the Union's determination to preserve the nation and the principles of federal governance against the rising tide of secession.