Isabella Carter
The United States has had several capitals throughout its history, including New York City, Philadelphia, and Princeton. However, the nation's first permanent capital under the new Constitution was established in Washington, D.C., in 1800. The U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1787, gave Congress the authority to designate a federal district as the Seat of the Government of the United States. This led to the passing of the Residence Act in 1790, which selected a site along the Potomac River as the future capital, later named Washington, D.C. From 1790 until its completion in 1800, Philadelphia served as the temporary capital.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First permanent capital under the new constitution | Washington, D.C. |
| Year of becoming the capital | 1800 |
| Previous temporary capital | Philadelphia |
| Year of becoming the temporary capital | 1790 |
| Year of the U.S. Constitution ratification | 1787 |
| Year of the first president's oath | 1789 |
| First president | George Washington |
| Location of the first president's oath | Federal Hall, New York City |
| Year of the White House reconstruction | 1814-1815 |
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What You'll Learn
Philadelphia was the first capital
The decision-making process regarding the location of the capital city was influenced by various factors, including 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. Philadelphia continued to be a significant location, as delegates returned to the city in 1787 to draft the U.S. Constitution. The Constitutional Convention, held in Philadelphia, addressed concerns arising from the Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783.
Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution empowered Congress to establish a federal district as 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. However, Alexander Hamilton, with the support of Thomas Jefferson, successfully advocated for moving the capital to an undeveloped area encompassing parts of Virginia and Maryland. This decision was influenced by a compromise over slavery, as pro-slavery states feared that a northern capital would be sympathetic to abolitionists.
On July 16, 1790, President George Washington signed the Residence Act of 1790, designating the area along the Potomac River, formed from land gifted by Maryland and Virginia, as the permanent capital. Philadelphia served as the temporary capital from 1790 to 1800 while the new capital, Washington, D.C., was under construction. On May 14, 1800, Congress concluded its business in Philadelphia and began the transition to the new Federal District. President John Adams moved into the White House in November of the same year, marking the official end of Philadelphia's tenure as the nation's capital.
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The capital moved to Washington, D.C. in 1800
The United States Constitution was ratified in 1787, and gave Congress the power to exercise exclusive legislation over a district that would become the Seat of the Government of the United States. The first Congress met at Federal Hall in New York City, which was the nation's capital from 1789 to 1790.
In 1790, Congress passed the Residence Act, which established the national capital at a site along the Potomac River that would become Washington, D.C. However, the construction of the new capital was not completed until 1800, so Philadelphia served as the temporary capital from 1790 to 1800. During this time, Congress met at Congress Hall in Philadelphia.
There were several reasons why Philadelphia lost its status as the nation's capital. One reason was the machinations of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, who were involved in a grand bargain to move the capital to an undeveloped area that encompassed parts of Virginia and Maryland. Another reason was the compromise over slavery, as pro-slavery states feared that a northern capital would be too sympathetic to abolitionists. Additionally, there were concerns about public health and safety in Philadelphia due to a yellow fever epidemic in 1793 and rowdy actions by Continental soldiers in 1783.
On May 14, 1800, Congress ended its business in Philadelphia and started the move to the new Federal District. President Adams also left Philadelphia in April and moved into the White House in November. Philadelphia officially ceased to be the nation's capital on June 11, 1800. On November 17, 1800, the 6th United States Congress formally convened in Washington, D.C., making it the permanent seat of the United States government.
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The U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1787
The Constitutional Convention, meeting in Philadelphia between May and September 1787, played a crucial role in shaping the Constitution. The convention was convened to address the shortcomings of the weak central government under the Articles of Confederation, which had struggled with issues such as conducting foreign relations and paying soldiers for their service in the Revolutionary War. The delegates to the convention, including prominent figures like Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, created a new model of government based on a system of checks and balances. They divided federal authority among the legislative, judicial, and executive branches, with each branch having specific powers and responsibilities.
The Constitution that emerged from the convention established a stronger federal government with more defined powers, including those related to foreign relations. It introduced an executive branch to handle routine paperwork and address issues that had caused sectional tension under the Articles of Confederation. The President, as part of the executive branch, was given the authority to conduct foreign relations.
The signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787, by 38 out of 41 delegates present, was a pivotal moment. However, it was agreed that the document would only come into effect once it was ratified by at least nine of the 13 existing states. This process of state ratification began, with Delaware becoming the first state to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787. By June 21, 1788, nine states had ratified the document, and the new government under the Constitution commenced on March 4, 1789, with George Washington as the first President.
The process of establishing the nation's capital was also influenced by the ratification of the Constitution. Philadelphia served as the nation's capital during this formative period, but the Residence Act of 1790 decreed that the permanent National Capital would be established along the Potomac River on land from Maryland and Virginia. This new capital, named Washington, D.C., became the seat of the federal government in 1800.
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The Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783 was a factor in the move
The United States' first capital under the new constitution was New York City, where the new government began operating under the new Constitution on March 4, 1789. George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States at Federal Hall in New York City on April 30, 1789.
However, before this, the Continental Congress had met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1783. This was a tumultuous time, as the federal government struggled to pay soldiers who had fought in the war against the British for their service. This led to the Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783, also known as the Philadelphia Mutiny, an anti-government protest by nearly 400 soldiers of the Continental Army. The mutiny forced Congress to focus on its safety and highlighted the weakness of the federal government against the state of Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783 was a significant factor in the eventual move of the nation's capital from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. The mutiny revealed fundamental issues with the government under the Articles of Confederation, which lacked direct control over the military during peacetime. The inability to pay veterans and the resulting unrest demonstrated the need for a stronger federal government, independent of state influence. This was addressed in the new Constitution, which granted Congress the power to create a federal district as the seat of government.
The Constitutional Convention of 1787, which took place in Philadelphia, was influenced by Pennsylvania's failure to protect the United States Congress during the mutiny. This led to the creation of a federal district, distinct from the states, where Congress could ensure its own security. The Residence Act of 1790 decreed that the National Capital would be established along the Potomac River on land from Maryland and Virginia, becoming Washington, D.C.
The move to Washington, D.C., was also influenced by other factors, including political machinations, the compromise over slavery, concerns about public health, and a grudge against the Pennsylvania state government. The desire to establish a neutral capital, not controlled by any state government, was a driving force in the creation of a new federal district.
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The White House was occupied in 1800
The United States' first capital under the new constitution was Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The nation's capital was moved to Philadelphia in 1790, where it remained for ten years until 1800.
The White House, the official residence of the president of the United States, was occupied in 1800. The building was designed by Irish-born architect James Hoban in the Neoclassical style. Hoban modelled the building on Leinster House in Dublin, Ireland. Construction of the White House began in 1792 and was completed in 1800. The White House has served as the residence of every U.S. president since John Adams moved in on November 1, 1800.
The history of the White House began in 1791 when President George Washington selected the site. The following year, the cornerstone was laid, and James Hoban's design was chosen. Construction took eight years, and the building was ready for occupancy in 1800, though it was still unfinished at the time.
The White House was originally called the "President's Palace" on early maps and was officially named the "Executive Mansion" in 1810. However, the name White House was commonly used from around the same time. It did not become the official name until 1901 when it was adopted by President Theodore Roosevelt.
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Frequently asked questions
The first capital of the United States was Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Continental Congress first met in Philadelphia's Carpenter's Hall in 1774, and reassembled in the Pennsylvania State House (now known as Independence Hall) in 1775.
Philadelphia was easily accessible from both the North and the South.
Philadelphia was the capital until 1800 when the nation's capital moved to Washington, D.C.
There were several reasons for the move, including a deal between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, a compromise over slavery, and a yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia in 1793.
