Civil War and Postwar Era
Delaware had forbidden importation of slaves since 1787, but had permitted slave-holding to continue. At the time of the Civil War, blacks made up about one-fourth of the state's population; most of them were free. Even free blacks, however, had had their rights limited by state statutes. Delaware remained loyal to the Union during the war, but some citizens who owned slaves supported the Confederacy. The Du Pont Company was the chief supplier of gunpowder to the Union army.
After the war, Delaware's industry expanded as large numbers of immigrants came to work in the factories in and near Wilmington. Lower Delaware remained agricultural, with corn and wheat being the main crops. The status of blacks did not improve significantly in the postwar era. The Democratic party, which had controlled the government in the prewar period, supported white supremacy and continued in power until 1889, when the Republicans won control of the legislature and became the state's majority party.
Modern Development. Industry, especially in the Wilmington-Brandywine area, prospered in the late 19th century. There was significant industrial expansion during World War I, particularly in shipyards and powder mills, and many workers moved to manufacturing centers. At about this time, the Du Pont Company diversified into chemicals, paints, and plastics. The du Pont family did much to stimulate Delaware's progress in industry, education, and transportation. T. Coleman du Pont financed construction of the state's first paved highway, from Wilmington to the southern border. The highway, completed in 1924, aided farmers and the state's growing tourist industry.
During the Great Depression of the 1930's, factories and shops closed and thousands of workers were unemployed. However, Delaware suffered less than other states because agriculture remained strong. After the outbreak of World War II, the state's industries and farms made important contributions to the war effort. Industrial expansion proceeded throughout the 1950's, as many corporations took advantage of Delaware's favorable tax laws and established facilities in the state.
During the 1960's, prosperity continued, but Delaware suffered from racial unrest. In 1967 and 1968, blacks rioted in Wilmington, protesting inequitable treatment. Court-ordered desegregation of predominantly black Wilmington schools and mainly white suburban schools led to racial tensions in the 1970's.
In the 1980's, the economy showed significant growth, but concern about the environment became an issue as a result of rapid commercial development along the coast. Also, concerns increased over finances in the 1980's. In 1980, a state constitutional limit was enacted that capped government spending at 95 per cent of its expected revenue. The resulting unused funds helped to increase the state's financial base. The Financial Center Development Act was passed in 1981, removing some restrictions on banks in Delaware; this led many large banks to move some operations into Delaware, creating a source of new jobs and revenue.
The 1990 census showed that Delaware had an increase in population of more than 10 per cent since 1980; it was one of only a few states in the North to register significant gains. In the early 2000's, Ruth Ann Minner became Delaware's first female governor. She was elected to office both in 2000 and 2004.
