George Washington's Washington: Visions for the National Capital in the Early American Republic (Early American Places Ser., 1)

This book traces the history of the development, abandonment, and eventual revival of George Washington’s original vision for a grand national capital on the Potomac. In 1791 Washington’s ideas found form in architect Peter Charles L’Enfant’s plans for the city. Yet the unprecedented scope of the plan; reliance on the sale of city lots to fund construction of the city and the public buildings; the actions of unscrupulous land speculators; and the convoluted mixture of state, local, and federal authority in effect in the District all undermined Federalist hopes for creating a substantial national capital. In an era when the federal government had relatively few responsibilities, the tangible intersections of ideology and policy were felt through the construction, development, and oversight of the federal city. During the Washington and Adams administrations, for example, Federalists lacked the funds, the political will, and the administrative capacity to make their hopes for the capital a reality. Across much of the next three decades, Thomas Jefferson and other Jeffersonian politicians stifled the growth of the city by withholding funding and support for any project not directly related to the workings of the government. After decades of stagnation, only the more pragmatic approach begun in the Jacksonian era succeeded in fostering development in the District. And throughout these decades, driven by a mixture of self-interest and national pride, local leaders worked to make Washington’s vision a reality and to earn the respect of the nation. __George Washington’s Washington__ is not simply a history of the city during the first president’s life but a history of his vision for the national capital and of the local and national conflicts surrounding this vision’s acceptance and implementation. The vision, controversy and political rivalries that shaped America's capital are examined in this fascinating history of Washington, D.C.When America's first congress declared that a national capital was to be built along the Potomac, President Washington was given complete control over its design and construction. Eager to establish a federal city worthy of a powerful and rapidly expanding empire, Washington recruited commissioners, surveyors, architects, and craftsmen. But there were many—including Thomas Jefferson—who opposed Washington's vision for a grand American metropolis. In the fiercely partisan environment of the early republic, the construction, development, and oversight of the District of Colombia became a symbolic pawn in the contest between rival political groups. George Washington's Washington traces the president's original plan for the capital over the course of decades, through its formation, abandonment, and eventual revival in the Jacksonian era. It is not simply a history of the city during Washington's life but a history of his vision for the national capital and of the local and national conflicts surrounding this vision's acceptance and implementation. 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THE SEAT OF A CONTINENTAL EMPIRE 164 8 A Symbolic National Capital 168 9 Federal Intervention 181 Epilogue 200 Notes 204 References 236 Index 254 This Book Traces The History Of The Development, Abandonment, And Eventual Revival Of George Washington's Original Vision For A Grand National Capital On The Potomac. 'george Washington's Washington' Is Not Simply A History Of The City During The First President's Life But A History Of His Vision For The National Capital And Of The Local And National Conflicts Surrounding This Vision's Acceptance And Implementation. Introduction -- Part I. Grand Visions And Financial Disasters. Dreams Of Metropolis -- Speculating In Failure -- A Boomtown Without A Boom -- Part Ii. A Federal Town On The Potomac. Jeffersonians And The Federal City -- The Limits Of Local Control -- Part Iii. Making The Capital National, 1814-1828. Saving And Rebuilding Washington -- Striving To Be A National City -- Part Iv. The Seat Of A Continental Empire. A Symbolic National Capital -- Federal Intervention -- Epilogue. Adam Costanzo. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 187-235) And Index.