Omar Bennett
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the country, and it was signed into effect in 1787. The District of Columbia, or Washington, D.C., is a unique political entity that serves as the country's capital but is not a state. The U.S. Constitution grants Congress exclusive jurisdiction over the district, and there are constitutional reasons why the District of Columbia should not become a state. The Constitution of the State of New Columbia was ratified in 1982 and enacted into law in 1987, but because Washington, D.C., has not been granted statehood, this constitution is not yet in effect.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Constitution of the State of New Columbia |
| Ratification | 1982 |
| Enactment into law | 1987 |
| Referendum | District-wide statehood referendum |
| New name | Washington, Douglass Commonwealth |
| Name change | In honour of writer and abolitionist Frederick Douglass |
| Status | Not in effect |
| Reason | Washington, D.C. has not yet been granted statehood |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution was signed in Philadelphia in 1787
Over time, concerns arose about the central government's limited authority, particularly regarding interstate commerce. In 1787, delegates from the states convened in Philadelphia, aiming to address these issues by revising the Articles. They met behind closed doors in the State House, also known as Independence Hall, engaging in passionate debates throughout the hot summer months.
By mid-June, the delegates had made a momentous decision: instead of amending the existing document, they would create an entirely new constitution. This decision reflected their desire to establish a stronger central government, capable of addressing the challenges facing the young nation. After intense discussions, they crafted and signed the new Constitution, which remains in effect today.
The Constitution's signing in Philadelphia holds significance not only for its historical impact but also for the principles it enshrined. The document established a federal government with checks and balances, protecting individual liberties and providing a framework for the nation's laws and governance. It also left open the possibility of establishing a dedicated seat of government, separate from any state, which would eventually lead to the creation of Washington, D.C., as the nation's capital.
While Philadelphia played a crucial role in the Constitution's creation, the document has a special connection to Washington, D.C., as well. The District of Columbia, which includes Washington, D.C., and the surrounding areas, has its own constitutional history. In 1982, the "Constitution of the State of New Columbia" was ratified, and it was enacted into law in 1987. However, due to the complex nature of D.C. statehood and the desire to maintain the federal nature of the nation's capital, this constitution has not yet come into effect.
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The US' first constitution was the Articles of Confederation
The US first constitution was the Articles of Confederation, which was adopted by the Continental Congress on November 15, 1777. This document, consisting of six sheets of parchment stitched together, served as the United States' first constitution until 1789 when the present-day Constitution came into effect. The Articles of Confederation established a league of friendship for the 13 sovereign and independent states, with each state retaining "every Power... which is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the United States".
The Articles of Confederation gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it lacked enforcement powers, could not regulate commerce, print money, or tax, and was generally impotent in setting commercial policy. The central government's power was quite limited, and it could not effectively support a war effort. This led to concerns about the Articles of Confederation, as James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington feared that the young country was on the brink of collapse due to states' disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade.
In response to these concerns, Alexander Hamilton helped convince Congress to organize a Grand Convention of state delegates to work on revising the Articles of Confederation. The Constitutional Convention assembled in Philadelphia in May 1787, and the delegates ultimately created a completely new form of government with a more powerful central government. The new Constitution was signed by 38 delegates on September 17, 1787, and it went into effect in March 1789.
The US Constitution grants Congress exclusive jurisdiction over Washington, DC, and Article One, Section Eight of the Constitution permits the establishment of a "District (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular states, and the acceptance of Congress, become the seat of the government of the United States". The Constitution, however, does not specify a location for the capital.
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The District of Columbia is not a state
Washington, DC, isn't a state; it's a district. DC stands for District of Columbia. Its creation comes directly from the US Constitution, which provides that the district, "not exceeding 10 Miles square," would "become the Seat of the Government of the United States." Congress established the federal district in 1790 to serve as the nation's capital, from land belonging to the states of Maryland and Virginia. The Constitution dictates that the federal district be under the jurisdiction of the US Congress.
While DC operates like a state and performs functions of a city and a county, it is not a state. The residents of the District of Columbia, who are American citizens, pay federal taxes, and serve in the military, do not have full voting representation in Congress. This lack of political representation for the District of Columbia, which has more people than Vermont and Wyoming and a historically large Black population, is a way in which the political system disenfranchises and underrepresents voters of colour.
Over the years, the district's residents have campaigned for the same voting rights enjoyed by citizens of states. These efforts have resulted in some successes, such as the District of Columbia Delegate Act of 1970, which allowed DC residents to elect a non-voting delegate to the House, and the Home Rule Act of 1973, which allowed them to elect their own mayor and a 13-member city council. In 1979, the D.C. Voting Rights Amendment, which would have granted DC the status of a state with representation in both the House and the Senate, passed both houses of Congress but was not ratified by enough states to take effect.
The people of the District of Columbia have voted in support of statehood and have approved a state constitution, a representative form of government, and the proposed boundaries. In 2020, legislation for statehood passed the Democrat-controlled House but was stalled in the Republican-controlled Senate. The next step for statehood is Congressional passage of legislation such as the State of Washington DC Admission Act, which was introduced in the 117th Congress.
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The US capital was moved from NYC to Philadelphia in 1790
The United States capital has had a long and dynamic history, with several cities serving as temporary capitals before the federal government finally settled in Washington, D.C., in 1800. The US capital was moved from New York City to Philadelphia in 1790, and this relocation played a significant role in shaping the nation's history.
Following the American Revolution and the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress met in multiple cities, including Trenton, New Jersey, and Annapolis, Maryland. During this period, New York City briefly served as the capital following the adoption of the Constitution. However, in 1790, the capital was relocated to Philadelphia, marking a return to this city, which had been a significant hub for the new nation.
The move to Philadelphia was influenced by several factors. Firstly, the Residence Act of July 16, 1790, designated the nation's capital to be in the current-day Washington area, as a compromise to appease pro-slavery states that feared a northern capital. Philadelphia's accessibility from both the North and the South made it a suitable choice. Additionally, the Compromise of 1790, orchestrated by Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and Thomas Jefferson, played a pivotal role. This compromise ensured that the federal government would pay off the remaining Revolutionary War debts of the states in exchange for establishing the new national capital in the Southern United States.
Philadelphia served as the US capital from 1790 to 1800. During this period, important decisions were made, and the city played a crucial role in the nation's early history. However, the capital's return to Philadelphia was short-lived, as the completion of the White House and the US Capitol buildings in Washington, D.C. marked a significant turning point. In 1800, the capital was officially moved to Washington, D.C., where it has remained ever since.
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The Constitution does not specify a location for the capital
The Constitution of the United States does not specify a location for the capital. Article One, Section Eight of the Constitution permits the establishment of a "District (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular states, and the acceptance of Congress, become the seat of the government of the United States".
The location of the capital was a significant issue for the Framers of the Constitution, as they wanted to ensure that the capital was a Federal City, free from the influence of any state government. This was a unique feature of the new United States, a democracy in a world of monarchies, with an elected president instead of a king. The Framers wanted to ensure that no state had an advantage over the others, and that the federal government was in charge of its own affairs.
In the Compromise of 1790, Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and Thomas Jefferson agreed that the federal government would pay each state's remaining Revolutionary War debts in exchange for establishing the new national capital in the Southern United States. On July 9, 1790, Congress passed the Residence Act, which approved the creation of a national capital on the Potomac River. The exact location was to be selected by President George Washington, who signed the bill into law on July 16, 1790. The initial shape of the federal district was a square, with each side measuring 10 miles (16 km), and it was formed from land donated by Maryland and Virginia.
The new capital was named Washington, D.C., and it became the ninth city to serve as the capital for the Continental Congress and under the Articles of Confederation. The Library of Congress, the largest library complex in the world, is located on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., along with the United States Supreme Court Building. The National Mall, a park near Downtown Washington, is a significant location for political protests, concerts, festivals, and presidential inaugurations.
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Frequently asked questions
The copy of the constitution in DC is called the "Constitution for the State of New Columbia".
The name "New Columbia" was chosen by the DC Council in reference to the District of Columbia, which is the official name of Washington, DC.
The Constitution of the State of New Columbia was ratified in 1982 and enacted into law in 1987.
No, the Constitution for the State of New Columbia is not yet in effect because Washington, DC, has not been granted statehood.
There are historical, practical, and constitutional reasons for opposing DC statehood. Some argue that the nation's capital should be separate from any state to allow all Americans to conduct business free from the influence of any particular state.
