Isabella Carter
The United States has had several capitals since its inception, with the first capital under the Constitution being Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Continental Congress met in Philadelphia in 1774, and the city served as the temporary capital of the United States of America between 1790 and 1800 while Washington, D.C. was being built. The decision to establish Washington, D.C. as the capital was influenced by various factors, including the desire to create a federal city that was not controlled by a state government, ensuring fairness among the states. The Residence Act of 1790, signed by George Washington, decreed that the National Capital would be established, and since 1800, Washington, D.C. has served as the federal capital.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First capital under the Constitution | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Year it became the capital | 1787 |
| Year it ceased to be the capital | 1800 |
| Year the Constitution was drawn up | 1787 |
| Location of the signing of the Constitution | Independence Hall, Philadelphia |
| Year the Residence Act was signed | 1790 |
| Temporary capital until the permanent capital was completed | Philadelphia |
| Year the permanent capital was completed | 1800 |
| Name of the permanent capital | Washington, D.C. |
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What You'll Learn
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was the temporary capital until 1800
The United States Constitution was drafted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1787. Philadelphia was also the temporary capital of the United States from 1790 until 1800. This was due to a deal negotiated by Robert Morris, which stated that the capital would return to Philadelphia for 10 years until the new permanent capital was built on the Potomac.
During this time, Philadelphians campaigned for the capital to remain in their city, even offering President Washington an elaborate mansion. However, Washington, along with other native Virginians like Madison and Jefferson, wanted the capital to be closer to their home state. In addition, a yellow fever epidemic hit Philadelphia in 1793, raising doubts about the safety of the area.
The Residence Act of July 16, 1790, designated the new permanent capital in Washington, D.C., in part to appease pro-slavery states that feared a northern capital sympathetic to abolitionists. The capital's move to Washington, D.C., was also influenced by a deal between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, a compromise over slavery, and a grudge against the Pennsylvania state government.
Before Philadelphia, the Congress of the Confederation was seated in New York City, and the Continental Congress met in various locations, including Philadelphia, Princeton, Trenton, and Annapolis. The Continental Congress was forced to flee Philadelphia in 1776 due to advancing British troops, relocating to Baltimore. In 1783, the Continental Congress again evacuated Philadelphia due to a soldier riot demanding compensation for their military service, moving to Nassau Hall on the campus of what is now Princeton University.
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George Washington signed the Residence Act of 1790
The Residence Act of 1790, officially titled "An Act for establishing the temporary and permanent seat of the Government of the United States", was signed into law by President George Washington on July 16, 1790. The Act established a national capital and permanent seat of government along the Potomac River, to be called Washington, D.C. This move was a significant step in the formation of the United States federal government as we know it today.
The Act was passed during a time of great change and transformation in the United States. The country was still in its infancy, having just gained independence from Britain, and the government was working to establish a new system of democracy. The Residence Act played a crucial role in this process by addressing the need for a designated capital city.
Prior to the Act, the United States Congress had no set capital and operated out of New York City. The decision to establish a permanent capital along the Potomac River was the result of a compromise between Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson. It was also influenced by the desire to create a Federal City, not controlled by any state government, as all other capitals at the time were the seats of royal power.
The Residence Act set a deadline of December 1, 1800, for the new capital to be ready and designated Philadelphia as the temporary capital in the interim. The Act also empowered President Washington to appoint commissioners to oversee the project and provided for the federal government to finance the construction of public buildings.
The selection of the site for the new capital was a careful process. Two sites became serious contenders: one on the Potomac River near Georgetown and another on the Susquehanna River near Wrights Ferry. President Washington scouted the areas, considering the specific details and ownership of the land. He decided that a few sites should be surveyed, and in January 1791, he appointed a three-member commission to oversee the surveying of the federal district, with Andrew Ellicott serving as the surveyor.
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The capital would be named Washington, D.C
The United States Constitution, drawn up in 1787, addressed the location of the capital city. The framers of the Constitution realized that the capital needed to be a Federal City, not controlled by a state government.
The Residence Act of 1790, signed by George Washington, decreed that the National Capital would be in Washington, D.C. The capital would be named after George Washington, the first President of the United States, who took office in 1789. The city was to be built in an undeveloped area that encompassed parts of Virginia and Maryland.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, served as the temporary capital from 1790 until 1800, while Washington, D.C. was under construction. The Pennsylvanians hoped to convince Congress that the capital should remain in Philadelphia during this time. However, the city leaders and businessmen of Washington worked to make it a capital worthy of the nation. They raised money for public works, including grading and paving streets, installing sewers and water mains, and planting thousands of trees.
Since 1800, Washington, D.C. has been the federal capital of the United States. Congress first convened there on November 17, 1800.
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The US Constitution was drafted in Philadelphia in 1787
The Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia met between May and September of 1787, with the specific dates being a subject of historical debate. The convention was held in the State House, also known as Independence Hall. The delegates to the convention, including notable figures such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and James Madison, engaged in discussions and debates throughout the summer, working diligently to draft and refine the articles of the new Constitution.
The Constitution that emerged from the Philadelphia Convention established a federal government with more clearly defined and expanded powers, including those related to conducting relations with foreign governments. The framers of the Constitution divided federal authority among the Legislative, Judicial, and Executive branches, creating a system of checks and balances to ensure effective governance. This new model of government aimed to address the challenges faced under the Articles of Confederation, where the federal government struggled with conducting foreign policy and enacting legislation.
Philadelphia played a significant role in the early years of the United States, serving as a temporary capital until 1800. The city was a hub for important discussions and decisions that shaped the nation's future. The Constitutional Convention in 1787 was a critical step forward in the development of the United States, as the resulting Constitution has served as the foundation of the country's government ever since.
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The US Constitution addressed the concerns of the Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783
The United States Constitution was formed in response to the country's newfound independence and the need for a new system of government. The Constitution addressed various concerns, including the issue of the capital's location and the financial obligations to soldiers who served in the Revolutionary War.
The Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783 was a significant event that influenced the content of the US Constitution. The mutiny arose from the Continental Army soldiers' demands for payment for their service during the war. On June 17, 1783, Congress received a message from soldiers stationed in Philadelphia, threatening to take action if they were not compensated as required. Despite the threats, Congress initially ignored their requests. However, on June 20, approximately 400 soldiers marched into Philadelphia, mobbed the State House, and barricaded Congress inside, demanding their pay.
The mutiny highlighted the federal government's weakness and its reliance on state militias for enforcement and protection. Congress's inability to pay the soldiers and its decision to flee Philadelphia to Nassau Hall in Princeton, New Jersey, underscored the need for a capital located in a distinct federal district, independent of any individual state's control. This ensured that the federal government could provide for its own protection and not be subjected to the demands of any single state.
As a result, the US Constitution included a provision for a federal district, separate from the states, where the capital would be located and empowered to govern itself. This district became Washington, D.C., situated on the banks of the Potomac River, with land contributed by Maryland and Virginia. While Philadelphia served as the temporary capital during the construction of Washington, D.C., the federal government ultimately relocated to the new capital in 1800.
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Frequently asked questions
Washington, D.C. has been the federal capital of the United States since 1800.
The US Constitution was drafted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia was the temporary capital of the United States from 1790 to 1800.
Washington, D.C. is the current capital of the United States.
The White House was first occupied by President John Adams in 1800. It underwent a significant renovation and expansion during the administration of President Harry S. Truman between 1948 and 1952.
