Jonah Patel
The location of the capital of the United States was a contentious issue during the drafting of the Constitution. The framers of the Constitution realized that the capital needed to be a Federal City, free from the control of any individual state government. While Philadelphia served as the early capital after the Constitution was ratified, the Residence Act of 1790 established the nation's capital in its current location in Washington, D.C. This move was influenced by various factors, including the compromise over slavery, public health concerns, and the desire to appease pro-slavery states.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location of the capital | Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution gives Congress the power to create a federal district to “become the Seat of the Government of the United States" |
| Decision-making process | The decision was influenced by concerns over the Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783, the need to repay troops, and a compromise over slavery |
| Contenders for the location of the capital | Northern states preferred a capital in Pennsylvania or New York, while Southern states supported a location along the Potomac River |
| Final location | Washington, D.C. |
| Previous capital | Philadelphia |
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What You'll Learn
The Residence Act of 1790
The Act was signed into law by President George Washington on July 16, 1790, and specified that the permanent capital would be located along the Potomac River, between the Eastern Branch (the Anacostia River) and the Connogochegue. The area of the capital was not to exceed "ten miles square" (100 square miles or 259 square kilometres). This location was chosen as part of a compromise between Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson, in which the federal government agreed to assume the war debts incurred by the states during the American Revolutionary War.
The Residence Act also designated Philadelphia as the temporary capital for a period of ten years, until the new capital in Washington, D.C., would be ready. The federal government operated out of Philadelphia and New York City during this time. The Act set a deadline of December 1, 1800, for the completion of the new capital, and President Washington was tasked with appointing commissioners to oversee the project and ensure suitable buildings were ready for Congress and other government offices.
The decision to locate the capital along the Potomac River was influenced by the desire to establish a Federal City, not controlled by any state government. This ensured that no single state had an advantage over the others, and the federal government had autonomy. The Residence Act of 1790 thus played a crucial role in shaping the future of the nation's capital and solidifying the federal government's authority.
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The US Congress
The US Constitution, which superseded the Articles of Confederation, outlines the framework of the federal government. It is divided into three branches: the legislative, consisting of the bicameral Congress (Article I); the executive, consisting of the President and subordinate officers (Article II); and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts (Article III).
The location of the nation's capital was a contentious issue during the formation of the US government. Northern states wanted the capital in their region, preferably in Pennsylvania or New York. Southern states, on the other hand, supported having the capital located along the Potomac River. A compromise was eventually reached, and President George Washington was given the authority to select the location.
Alexander Hamilton played a crucial role in the negotiations. He helped broker a deal where the federal government would assume the war debts incurred during the American Revolutionary War in exchange for support from the northern states for locating the capital along the Potomac River. As a result, Philadelphia was chosen as the temporary capital for ten years until the nation's capital in Washington, D.C., was ready.
The US Capitol, also known as the Capitol Building, is a grand and iconic structure. It was designed by Pierre L'Enfant and built on Jenkins Hill, now known as Capitol Hill. The central sections of the building were completed in 1800 but were partially destroyed in 1814 during the Burning of Washington. The building was quickly restored, and the wings were extended in the 1850s to accommodate the bicameral legislature, with the House of Representatives in the south wing and the Senate in the north wing.
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The US Constitution
Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution grants Congress the authority to create a federal district to "become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State..." This provision laid the groundwork for the establishment of a dedicated capital city or district, separate from any individual state, to house the federal government and its institutions.
The location of the nation's capital was a contentious issue during the drafting and early years of the US Constitution. Philadelphia served as the early capital after the Constitution was ratified, but there were debates and proposals to relocate it. The Residence Act of July 1790, enacted by Congress, played a pivotal role in establishing the nation's capital in Washington, D.C. The Act was passed to address concerns and compromise between the northern and southern states, particularly regarding slavery and the assumption of state debts.
Alexander Hamilton, a key figure in these negotiations, brokered a deal in which the federal government agreed to assume war debts from the American Revolutionary War, gaining support from northern states for locating the capital along the Potomac River. This compromise resulted in the selection of Washington, D.C., as the nation's capital, with Philadelphia serving as a temporary capital until December 1800.
The establishment of Washington, D.C., as the nation's capital reflected the unique nature of the United States as a democracy with a federal government independent of any individual state's influence. This decision by the Framers of the Constitution ensured that no single state held an advantage over the others in terms of housing the seat of government.
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The location of the capital
The early years of the United States saw several cities serve as temporary capitals, including Philadelphia, New York City, Princeton, Trenton, Annapolis, and York. The Residence Act of July 16, 1790, marked a pivotal moment in the establishment of a permanent capital. The Act designated an area along the Potomac River, encompassing parts of Virginia and Maryland, as the future site of the nation's capital. This decision was influenced by a compromise brokered by Alexander Hamilton, in which the federal government agreed to assume war debts incurred during the American Revolutionary War in exchange for support from northern states for locating the capital along the Potomac.
Philadelphia, known as the "City of Brotherly Love", served as the nation's capital from 1790 to 1800. However, it faced challenges such as a yellow fever epidemic in 1793 and tensions between Continental soldiers and the state militia in 1783. These events, along with a desire to appease pro-slavery states and move the capital to a more southern location, led to the selection of a new site. On May 14, 1800, Congress began its relocation to the new Federal District, and Philadelphia officially ceased to be the nation's capital on June 11, 1800.
The new capital city, Washington, D.C., was named after President George Washington and was situated in an undeveloped area that later became the District of Columbia. The city plan for Washington, D.C., was designed by Pierre L'Enfant, who envisioned a grand capital with public buildings and a "Congress House" on Jenkins Hill, later renamed Capitol Hill. The construction of the city and its iconic buildings, such as the White House and the Capitol, faced setbacks, including the Burning of Washington by the British army in 1814. However, the determination of Congress and the nation led to a swift reconstruction, solidifying Washington, D.C., as the enduring capital of the United States.
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The federal government
The United States Capitol, located on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., is the seat of the country's legislative branch of the federal government, the United States Congress. The U.S. Congress was established upon the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1789, with New York City serving as its home until the passage of the Residence Act in 1790.
The Residence Act of 1790, also known as the Compromise of 1790, was a significant piece of legislation that addressed the contentious issue of establishing a permanent capital for the nation. It was brokered by Alexander Hamilton, who played a pivotal role in shaping the federal government's early years. The Act designated an area along the Potomac River, encompassing parts of Virginia and Maryland, as the future site of the nation's capital. This decision was influenced by a compromise over slavery, with pro-slavery states fearing that a northern capital would be too sympathetic to abolitionists. Additionally, a yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia, the previous capital, further fuelled doubts about its safety and suitability.
Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution empowered Congress to create a federal district to "become the Seat of the Government of the United States." This provision addressed concerns stemming from the Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783 and ensured that the federal government had control over its own seat of power, rather than being subject to the influence of any individual state. The decision to locate the capital in an undeveloped area, which would become Washington, D.C., was a grand bargain facilitated by Hamilton, with support from Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.
The establishment of Washington, D.C., as the nation's capital was not without challenges. In 1814, the British army invaded the city, burning the White House, the Capitol, and other government buildings. Despite this setback, Congress was determined to rebuild, and the reconstruction of the city's infrastructure and symbolic centres of power reinforced its status as the nation's capital. The relocation of the capital to Washington, D.C., marked a significant shift in the early years of the United States, reflecting the country's unique democratic ideals and the need for a federal city that represented all states equally.
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Frequently asked questions
Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution gives Congress the power to create a federal district to "become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State".
The Constitution does not specify the exact location of the nation's capital. However, it was decided that the capital would be located along the Potomac River, in what is now Washington, D.C.
There were several reasons for the move, including a deal between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, a compromise over slavery, public health concerns following a yellow fever epidemic, and a desire to appease pro-slavery states.
