Malcolm Rivera
Delaware was the first state to ratify the US Constitution on December 7, 1787, just four days after the Delaware Ratifying Convention met to consider the proposal. The state's leaders were keen to ratify the Constitution as soon as possible, despite Delaware's small size and population, and its lack of a major economic centre or product. They believed that joining a union with larger states was the only way to survive.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ratification | 7 December 1787 |
| Delaware's status | Small state with no major economic centre or product |
| Delaware's motivation | Fear of being taken advantage of by larger states |
| Delaware's contribution | Proposal addressing small versus large state representation |
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What You'll Learn
Delaware was a small state with a small population
Delaware was admitted as "The First State" on December 7, 1787. The Delaware Ratifying Convention met on December 3, 1787, and shortly after meeting, became the first state to ratify the Constitution, by a unanimous vote of 30-0.
The Continental Congress adopted the Constitution of the United States on September 17, 1787. An official copy of the document was presented to the Delaware Assembly by the President of Delaware, Thomas Collins, on October 24, 1787, along with four petitions containing 171 signatures urging ratification.
Delaware's delegates contributed to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, including the proposal that eventually addressed small versus large state representation. Their leadership in being the first state to ratify the Constitution was important in the formation of the United States.
Delaware's quick ratification of the Constitution was a wise decision that helped to ensure the state's survival and influence in the young republic.
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Delaware's coastline was large
Delaware was a small state with a large coastline. It had no major economic centre or product, and was surrounded by much larger states. Many were afraid that these larger states would take advantage of Delaware. Some believed that the only way for Delaware to survive as a small state would be to join in a union with the larger states.
Delaware's leaders were intelligent men who made the wise decision to ratify the Constitution as soon as possible. The Delaware Ratifying Convention met on 3 December 1787 and, shortly after meeting, became the first state to ratify the Constitution, by a unanimous vote of 30-0, on 7 December 1787.
Delaware's coastline was an important factor in the state's decision to ratify the Constitution. With a large coastline, Delaware had access to the sea and the potential for trade and economic growth. The state's leaders recognised the importance of a strong central government and the need to protect the interests of small states like Delaware. By ratifying the Constitution, Delaware took a leadership role in the formation of the United States and helped to ensure the permanency of the government.
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Delaware had no major economic centre or product
Delaware was a small state in 1787, with a small population and no major economic centre or product. Its leaders were afraid that the much larger states surrounding it would take advantage of it. They believed that the only way to survive as a small state would be to join in a union with the larger states. As a result, Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution, doing so on 7 December 1787 by a unanimous vote.
Delaware's coastline was large, despite its small size. Its delegates contributed to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, including the proposal that eventually addressed small versus large state representation.
Delaware's quick ratification of the Constitution led to it being known as the 'State That Started a Nation'.
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Delaware was afraid that larger states would take advantage of it
Delaware's quick ratification of the Constitution was a significant moment in the formation of the United States. The Continental Congress had adopted the Constitution of the United States on September 17, 1787, and an official copy was presented to the Delaware Assembly by the President of Delaware, Thomas Collins, on October 24, 1787. On November 10, 1787, the Delaware Legislature adopted a bill calling for a State Convention to be held in Dover, Delaware, on December 3, 1787, for the purpose of considering the ratification of the new Federal Constitution. The Delaware Ratifying Convention met as planned and, shortly after, became the first state to ratify the Constitution.
Delaware's leadership in ratifying the Constitution is particularly notable given its small size and limited influence compared to other states. Unlike some larger, more influential states, Delaware's ratification was not essential for the formation of the United States. However, its delegates contributed significantly to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, including proposing a solution to the issue of small versus large state representation.
Delaware's quick ratification of the Constitution set a precedent for other states to follow. By June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the decisive ninth state to ratify, making the United States Constitution the law of the land. Delaware's early support for the Constitution helped to build momentum for its adoption and demonstrated the state's commitment to a strong and unified nation.
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Delaware's leaders were intelligent and made a wise decision
Delaware's leaders knew that the proposed constitution had to be ratified by nine of the thirteen states, and they wanted to be one of the first states to do so. They also knew that the Continental Congress had already adopted the Constitution of the United States on September 17, 1787, and that an official copy of the document had been presented to the Delaware Assembly by the President of Delaware, Thomas Collins, on October 24, 1787.
The Delaware Ratifying Convention met on December 3, 1787, and, shortly after meeting, became the first state to ratify the Constitution, by a unanimous vote of 30-0, on December 7, 1787. This decision was made despite the fact that Delaware had no major economic centre or product, and that its coastline was large.
The leaders of Delaware were aware that the 1776 constitution had been replaced by the Delaware Constitution of 1792, which remained in effect until 1831 when a convention approved a third state constitution. The current constitution, Delaware’s fourth, was adopted in 1897 and remains in effect. By ratifying the Constitution quickly, Delaware's leaders ensured that the state would have a say in the formation of the new government and that its interests would be protected.
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Frequently asked questions
Delaware was a small state with a small population and no major economic centre or product. Many were afraid that the larger states surrounding Delaware would take advantage of it. Leaders of Delaware believed that the only way to survive as a small state would be to join in a union with the larger states.
Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution, by a unanimous vote of 30-0, on December 7, 1787. It was admitted as "The First State".
Delaware's ratification of the Constitution was significant because it set a precedent for other states to follow. It also contributed to the proposal that eventually addressed small versus large state representation.
