Delaware's Constitution Ratification: The Key Players And Their Legacy

Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution of the United States, unanimously making the decision on December 7, 1787. The proposed constitution was submitted to the individual states for ratification in 1787, and Delaware elected thirty delegates to a state convention to consider ratification. The delegates met in Dover at Battell's Tavern (also known as the Golden Fleece Tavern) and made the decision to ratify the Constitution, despite the fact that Delaware was a small state and there were fears that larger states would take advantage of it.

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Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution

The proposed constitution was submitted to the individual states for ratification in 1787. In many states, supporters of the Articles of Confederation worked hard to block ratification. However, in Delaware, there was no overt opposition. All of the state's normally combative political factions favoured the new constitution. On November 26, 1787, Delaware elected 30 delegates to a state convention to consider ratification.

Delaware was a small state in 1787, and many were afraid that the much larger states surrounding it would take advantage. Some believed that the only way to survive as a small state would be to join in a union with the larger states. Delaware's leaders made the decision to ratify the Constitution as soon as possible.

The U.S. Constitution was ratified by all 30 delegates to the Delaware Constitutional Convention

On December 7, 1787, the U.S. Constitution was ratified by all 30 delegates to the Delaware Constitutional Convention, making Delaware the first state of the modern United States. The Constitution was sent to the states for ratification, and, by the terms of the document, the Constitution would become binding once nine of the former 13 colonies had ratified the document. Delaware led the process, and on June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, making federal democracy the law of the land.

The proposed constitution that was submitted to the individual states for ratification in 1787 was not a revision of the Articles of Confederation, but rather an entirely new document that gave considerable power to the national government. In many states, the supporters of the Articles worked hard to block ratification. In Delaware, however, there was no overt opposition. Indeed, all of Delaware’s normally combative political factions favoured the new constitution. On November 26, 1787, Delaware elected thirty delegates to a state convention to consider ratification. The delegates, meeting in Dover at Battell’s Tavern (also known as the Golden Fleece Tavern) unanimously made Delaware the first state to ratify the United States Constitution.

Delaware was such a small state in 1787, and many were afraid that the much larger states surrounding Delaware would take advantage of her. Others believed that the only way to survive as a small state would be to join in a union with the larger states. Fortunately, Delaware's leaders were intelligent men and made the wise decision to ratify the Constitution as soon as possible.

The proposed constitution was an entirely new document that gave considerable power to the national government

The proposed constitution was not a revision of the Articles of Confederation, but a new document that gave the national government more power. In many states, supporters of the Articles worked to block ratification. However, in Delaware, there was no such opposition. All of Delaware's normally combative political factions favoured the new constitution.

On November 26, 1787, Delaware elected thirty delegates to a state convention to consider ratification. The delegates met in Dover at Battell's Tavern (also known as the Golden Fleece Tavern) and unanimously ratified the Constitution, making Delaware the first state to do so.

Delaware's quick ratification of the Constitution was a wise decision, as it was a small state and many were afraid that the larger surrounding states would take advantage of it. By ratifying the Constitution, Delaware joined a union with the larger states, ensuring its survival.

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Delaware elected 30 delegates to a state convention to consider ratification

On November 26, 1787, Delaware elected 30 delegates to a state convention to consider ratification of the proposed constitution. This was an entirely new document that gave considerable power to the national government. Delaware's normally combative political factions all favoured the new constitution, and there was no overt opposition.

The legislation provided for the election of ten people to be selected in each county to attend the convention. The delegates met in Dover at Battell's Tavern (also known as the Golden Fleece Tavern) and unanimously made Delaware the first state to ratify the United States Constitution. This occurred on December 7, 1787, less than four months after the Constitution was signed by 37 of the original 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention meeting in Philadelphia.

Delaware's decision to ratify the Constitution as soon as possible was considered wise, as it was a small state and many were afraid that the much larger states surrounding it would take advantage.

Delaware was a small state in 1787 and many were afraid that the much larger states surrounding it would take advantage

In 1787, Delaware was a small state and many were afraid that the much larger states surrounding it would take advantage. Indeed, the only way to survive as a small state was to join in a union with the larger states. Fortunately, Delaware's leaders were intelligent men and made the wise decision to ratify the Constitution as soon as possible. On November 26, 1787, Delaware elected thirty delegates to a state convention to consider ratification. On December 7, 1787, the delegates, meeting in Dover at Battell’s Tavern (also known as the Golden Fleece Tavern) unanimously made Delaware the first state to ratify the United States Constitution. The Constitution was sent to the states for ratification, and, by the terms of the document, the Constitution would become binding once nine of the former 13 colonies had ratified the document. Delaware led the process, and on June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, making federal democracy the law of the land.

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