Question

Which of the 13 original states was so opposed to the constitutional convention in philadelphia in 1787 that it refused to send a delegate, and the u.s. constitution was written without its participation?

Answer 1

Rhode Island was opposed to the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia because it did not want to give too much power to a federal government. Due to its small size, both geographically and demographically, Rhode Island was afraid of relinquishing the influence that it had as one state under the Articles of Confederation. (Under this plan of government, each state had one vote in national matters, giving Rhode Island much more of a voice.) The U.S. Constitution was, in fact, written without Rhode Island's help. It was not until the Bill of Rights was proposed that Rhode Island finally voted to ratify the Constitution in 1790, being the last state to do so.