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The Founding Fathers were concerned that if the Nation's Capital was located in one of

the original states, that state would wield undue influence over the federal government,

and have more power than other states. They envisioned a state harassing the federal

government and interfering if they did not get their way in national matters. Therefore,

they created the District of Columbia (D.C.) and made that the seat of the national

government. It would not be a part of any individual state.

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15y ago

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The establishment of the nation's capital on the banks of the Potomac River resulted from a compromise between the Federalist and the Republican factions of the early republic. The Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson, accepted the Federalist proposal that the national government pay the state debts incurred during the war of independence. In exchange, the Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, agreed to situate the capital at a place chosen by George Washington. Work on the new city began in 1790 and by 1800 was complete enough for the seat of government to be moved there from Philadelphia. John Adams was the first president to reside in the new city, if only for a short period as he was defeated for reelection by Thomas Jefferson in the fall of 1800 and left office in March 1801. President Adams and his wife, Abigail, moved to their new home in November.

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14y ago
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Both Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton favored a national capital in the south. However, they both conceded a move to the District of Columbia would be perfect since it evenly positioned the capital between the North and the South. After proposing a bill that would provide funds for expenses incurred during the Revolutionary War, Hamilton got what he wanted. Philadelphia served as a temporary location prior to the move to the nationâ??s new capital.

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10y ago
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The capital was moved as a part of the Assumption Bill (1790) wherein the Federal Government agreed to pay some of the debts the North incurred during the Revolutionary War, in return that the capital was relocated further South to a site along the Potomac River because the South had already paid all of their debts and wanted something in return for assuming some of the costs.
Washington D.C. became the capitol of the United States on July 16, 1790. This area was deemed the capitol by Congress.

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9y ago
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They moved the capitol from New York City to The District of Columbia, which is now Washington DC, because NYC is obligated to the state of New York, which would give them an advantage in government. But, The District of Columbia is partially in Virginia, and partially in Maryland, and it is because the two states donated land for DC, and cutting the state border so that The District of Columbia isn't part of either state. Therefore, it is not obligated to any state, so that there is no state that has any sort of unfair advantage over any other state in the entire United States.

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14y ago
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I don't really know but that's where the first president lived.

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14y ago
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Q: Why was the capital changed from New York to Philadelphia?
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