Delaware
Date Found
The colony of Delaware was founded in 1638 by Peter Minuit and The New Sweden Company. It was later taken over by England and placed under English rule.
Significant Leaders
Peter Minuit was the first significant leader to govern Delaware in 1638. However, in
1664 James, the Duke of York took over the state of Delaware in the name of Britain.
1664 James, the Duke of York took over the state of Delaware in the name of Britain.
Reasons colony was found
The two main reasons for the founding of Delaware were the trade and agricultural opportunity
that the state presented. The soil was fertile which was the main reason for agriculture and it had thriving forests for manufacturing and lumber.
that the state presented. The soil was fertile which was the main reason for agriculture and it had thriving forests for manufacturing and lumber.
Religion/Political views/ System of government
The predominant religion in the colony of Delaware was Protestant. However because the colony practiced tolerance in religion many other religions were practiced in the colony. The system of government in place at the time was Constitutional Anarchy. Delaware shared a government system with Pennsylvania, which was based on democratic rule.
Economic base/major industry
Delaware had a widely mixed economy based on the different industries it had. Delaware had fertile land that was great for agriculture. Grain, Rice and Indigo were commonly grown and harvested amongst the colonists. Delaware was vastly covered in forests as well, which made the lumber industry a thriving one. Other industries included shipbuilding and ironwork, as well as trading for greater economic strength.
Demographics/population characteristics
The population of Delaware was not extremely different, the colonies consisted of English, Dutch, and Swedish settlers.The majority of the colony spoke English.
Society/Culture
Delaware was at first an all white colony, however in years that came, delaware took on slaves, but in a small number. Less than 2% of dleaware's population was that of slaves.
Misscellaneous
- Delaware
was the first state to ratify the United States constitution. December 7, 1787.
Making it the first State in the United states. - It
shares a semi-circular border with Pennsylvania. It was was drawn at the time of
the original land grants to William Penn from King Charles II and the Duke of
York. - Delaware
is the only state without any National Park System - Barratt's
Chapel is where the Methodist Church of America was organized in 1784.
- Finnish
settlers arrived in Delaware in the mid-1600s and brought with them plans for
the log cabin - Eleven
years after the Pilgrims landed the first white settlement was made on Delaware
soil.