Omar Bennett
The United States has had several capitals throughout its history, with the first capital under the Constitution being New York City, where the First Congress met at Federal Hall in 1789. George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States at this location. The U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1787, and it gave Congress the power to establish a federal district as the Seat of the Government of the United States. The Residence Act of 1790 designated the current-day site of Washington, D.C. as the capital, and Philadelphia served as the temporary capital for ten years until the permanent capital was completed in 1800.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First US capital under the Constitution | New York City |
| Year became capital | 1789 |
| Year ceased to be capital | 1790 |
| Year Constitution was ratified | 1787 |
| Year Constitution was drafted | 1787 |
| Location of Constitution drafting | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Year the capital moved to Washington, D.C. | 1800 |
| City where the first US President took the oath of office | New York City |
| Name of the building where the first US President took the oath of office | Federal Hall |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The US Constitution was ratified in 1787
- The first US President was sworn in at Federal Hall, New York City, in 1789
- Philadelphia was the early capital after the Constitution was ratified
- The US capital moved to Washington in 1800
- The Residence Act established the capital at a site along the Potomac River
The US Constitution was ratified in 1787
On May 25, 1787, representatives from all 13 states convened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to discuss amendments to the Articles of Confederation. The convention was led by prominent figures such as Alexander Hamilton from New York, who advocated for a stronger federal government. The initial purpose of the convention was to amend the existing Articles, but the delegates ultimately proposed and created an entirely new form of government.
The convention culminated on September 17, 1787, with the signing of the new US Constitution by 38 out of 41 delegates. The document required ratification by at least nine of the 13 existing states to come into effect. Delaware became the first state to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787, followed by several other states. The ratification process was not without opposition, as some groups criticized the Constitution for not adequately protecting certain rights, including freedom of speech, religion, and the press.
The lobbying efforts in support of the Constitution were led by Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. Together, they produced and published "The Federalist Papers," a series of 85 essays explaining and defending the proposed new government. These essays played a crucial role in garnering support for the Constitution and shaping the nation's political dialogue.
By June 21, 1788, nine out of the thirteen states had ratified the Constitution, and the new government began operating under it on March 4, 1789, in New York City. George Washington was elected as the first President of the United States, taking the oath of office on April 30, 1789, at Federal Hall in New York. Federal Hall was demolished in 1812, but the nation that Washington presided over continues to thrive.
First Lady's Office: Constitutional Conundrum?
You may want to see also
The first US President was sworn in at Federal Hall, New York City, in 1789
The United States Constitution was ratified in 1787, and the new government began operating under it in 1789. The first US President, George Washington, was sworn in at Federal Hall in New York City on April 30, 1789. Federal Hall was demolished in 1812, but the nation that Washington presided over still exists today.
New York City was the first US capital under the Constitution. The Second Continental Congress or Congress of the Confederation met in various locations, including the French Arms Tavern in Trenton, New Jersey, and New York's old City Hall on Wall Street. After the Constitution was ratified, delegates met at Fraunces Tavern while the old City Hall was remodelled into the first capitol building for the new national government.
The US Constitution gave Congress the power to exercise "exclusive legislation" over a district that may, by Cession of particular States, and the acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States. This meant that no state would have an advantage over the others, and the federal government could be in charge of its own house.
In 1789, two locations were proposed for the capital: one near Lancaster and another in Germantown, just outside Philadelphia. However, Alexander Hamilton, with the help of Thomas Jefferson, pushed for the capital to be moved to an undeveloped area encompassing parts of Virginia and Maryland. The Residence Act of 1790 established the national capital at a site along the Potomac River that would become Washington, D.C. Philadelphia served as the temporary capital for the next ten years.
In the summer of 1793, a yellow fever epidemic hit Philadelphia, further raising doubts about the safety of the area. Native Virginians like Washington, Madison, and Jefferson had also been actively planning for a capital near their home. So, in 1800, the nation's capital officially moved to Washington, D.C.
The Mayflower Compact: America's First Constitution?
You may want to see also
Philadelphia was the early capital after the Constitution was ratified
The United States Constitution was ratified in 1787. Before this, the Continental Congress had various stints in different locations, including Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which served as the temporary capital of the United States of America between 1790 and 1800. Philadelphia was also the site of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, where the Constitution was drafted.
Philadelphia was an important city for the new nation, serving as a hub for important decisions and being equally accessible from the North and the South. The Confederation Congress met in Philadelphia in June 1783 at what is now known as Independence Hall, operating under the Articles of Confederation. However, there were issues with the federal government's inability to pay soldiers for their service, leading to the Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783. This crisis forced Congress to focus on its safety and highlighted the weaknesses of the federal government.
Despite these issues, Philadelphia was chosen as the temporary capital while the permanent capital was being constructed. The Residence Act of 1790 established the national capital at a site along the Potomac River that would become Washington, D.C. Philadelphia served as the temporary capital for 10 years, until the new capital was completed. This decision was influenced by a deal between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, as well as a compromise over slavery.
During Philadelphia's time as the temporary capital, a yellow fever epidemic hit the city in 1793, raising doubts about its safety. Additionally, there was a soldier riot in 1783, comprised of veterans demanding compensation for their military service. These events contributed to the eventual decision to move the capital to Washington, D.C., which became the permanent seat of the United States government in 1800.
The Constitution's First Compromise: A Political Balancing Act
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The US capital moved to Washington in 1800
The United States has had many capitals throughout its history, including New York, Philadelphia, and Trenton, New Jersey. The US Constitution, which was ratified in 1787, gave Congress the power to create a federal district that would serve as the nation's capital. The first Congress met at Federal Hall in New York, and in 1790, they passed the Residence Act, which established the national capital along the Potomac River, in what would become Washington, D.C. From 1790 to 1800, Philadelphia served as the temporary capital while the new capital was being built.
On May 14, 1800, the US capital officially moved to Washington, D.C. This move was the result of a deal between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, as well as a compromise over slavery. Philadelphia had been the hub of the new nation, with important decisions being made there, and it was easily accessible from both the North and the South. However, there were several issues that led to the decision to move the capital. Firstly, there was the Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783, which caused concerns about the safety of the federal government. Secondly, there was a yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia in 1793, which raised further doubts about the area's safety. Additionally, native Virginians like Washington, Madison, and Jefferson were advocating for a capital closer to their home state.
The Residence Act of 1790 established the capital in its current location in Washington, as part of a plan to appease pro-slavery states. These states feared that a northern capital would be too sympathetic to abolitionists. The move to Washington, D.C., was also influenced by the desire to create a Federal City that was not controlled by a state government. This ensured that no single state had an advantage over the others, and the federal government had autonomy over its capital.
The establishment of Washington, D.C., as the nation's capital was not without its challenges. The city was still under construction when Congress ended its business in Philadelphia and started the move in May 1800. To accommodate this transition, temporary structures were built to house Congress while the Capitol continued to be constructed. Despite these initial hurdles, Washington, D.C., has served as the permanent seat of the United States government since 1800, and it continues to be the center of political decision-making and diplomacy for the nation.
Understanding the Constitution's First Three Words: We the People
You may want to see also
The Residence Act established the capital at a site along the Potomac River
The United States Constitution was ratified in 1787, and it gave Congress the power to choose a "seat of the government of the United States". The first US capital under the Constitution was New York, where the new government began operating in 1789. George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States at Federal Hall in New York City.
However, the Constitution also allowed Congress to create a federal district to "become the Seat of the Government of the United States". In 1789, two locations were proposed for the capital: one near Lancaster and another in Germantown, just outside Philadelphia. But a grand bargain was struck to move the capital to an undeveloped area that encompassed parts of Virginia and Maryland, with the help of Thomas Jefferson. This was done to appease pro-slavery states who feared a northern capital as being too sympathetic to abolitionists.
The Residence Act of 1790 established the capital at a site along the Potomac River, which would become Washington, D.C. The Act was part of a deal between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, and a compromise over slavery. From 1790 to 1800, Philadelphia served as the temporary capital while Washington, D.C., was being built.
In 1800, the capital officially moved to Washington, D.C., and Congress formally convened there. The White House was also being reconstructed at the time, and it was largely completed by the time President James Monroe took the Oath of Office.
First Legislative Priority Post-Constitution: The Bill in Focus
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The first US capital under the Constitution was New York City, where the 1st Congress met at Federal Hall.
Philadelphia served as the temporary capital from 1790 to 1800 while Washington, D.C. was being built.
Philadelphia lost its status as the capital due to a deal between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, a compromise over slavery, a yellow fever epidemic, and rowdy actions by Continental soldiers in 1783.
Washington, D.C. became the capital in 1800.
Yes, Congress has met outside of Washington, D.C. twice since it became the capital. The first time was on July 16, 1987, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the ratification of the Constitution. The second time was at Federal Hall National Memorial in New York on September 6, 2002, to mark the first anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
