Smalls left a legacy and leadership behind that connects to today. Because he had a resolve to free his fellow slaves from freedom he worked hard and made a plan to escape. After his escape he was free and able to work his way into the militia and politics. He was a major general during the civil war and fought many battles. He was the highest paid African-American man in South Carolina. After the civil war had ended, he worked his way into politics and became a politician. He served in the State Senate as well as both houses of the Carolina State Legislature. Because of Robert Smalls, who was one of the black heroes of the United States, slavery does not exist in the U.S. today and African-Americans are free. Once he died he left behind his son and two daughters. His story and legacy lives on today with his descendants.