The Construction of Washington D.C. by Abraham Silva https://padlet.com/abrsil231_1/u5tf03ctmmp3q6zs By Grace and Bram en-us 2020-11-30 13:25:18 UTC 2025-09-24 16:16:48 UTC hello@padlet.com Data https://padlet.com/abrsil231_1/u5tf03ctmmp3q6zs/wish/971081670 At the time of the construction of Washington D.C., land had to be given up to be able to construct the city. 1/3 of Prince George's County was integrated into Washington D.C and all of Alexandria, Virginia. These areas that Washington D.C was constructed in and around had a large population of African-Americans, free and enslaved. 

Throughout the expansion of the government, the rural aspect of Washington D.C. was replaced with a more urban and progressive area. Many slaves were freed and offered jobs within the city. They were able to experience a life that not many other black Americans could and set an example for the rest of the country. 

Because there was such a large population of African-Americans living in the land Washington D.C. was constructed on it gave African-Americans a way of life that was very rare in America. This lifestyle of African-Americans in Washington, D.C. could have determined the direction of the nation's future view on slavery and racism; however, the leaders in power refused to make any legislative decisions or make any clear statements that America wants to abolish slavery. ]]> 2020-11-30 13:27:36 UTC https://padlet.com/abrsil231_1/u5tf03ctmmp3q6zs/wish/971081670 Historical Context abrsil231_1 https://padlet.com/abrsil231_1/u5tf03ctmmp3q6zs/wish/971082012 The nation felt it was necessary to have a capital city to lead the federal government. The southern delegates wanted the capital in the south while the northerners wanted it in the north. They both felt having the capital in their region would boost the economy. Many delegates also felt that having a national capital in a city that belongs to a state would give too much power to that state. Washington, along with Jefferson and Hamilton decided that the capital should be in Maryland and Virginia’s land but independent from any state. It was decided to be more southern since Jefferson made a deal with Hamilton to pay off all northern war debts for the capital to be in the south, but they still felt it should be more central. The city was put in between two rivers since Washington thought that this would lead to greater trade. These are the reasons why the capital was put in its location.]]> 2020-11-30 13:27:39 UTC https://padlet.com/abrsil231_1/u5tf03ctmmp3q6zs/wish/971082012 Primary Source: Letters from Henry Clay to Andrew Marschalk https://padlet.com/abrsil231_1/u5tf03ctmmp3q6zs/wish/971089128 Abdul Rahman Ibrahima, an educated African prince who was stolen from his home and enslaved in America for forty years became friends with Secretary of State, Henry Clay, and President John Quincy Adams. Andrew Marschalk was a newspaper writer and brought attention to his story. Henry Clay and John Quincy Adams worked to sent him back to his home in Africa and paid $200 for his release from his slave master Thomas Foster. 

"The object of the President, being to restore Prince, the slave mentioned to his family and country, for the purpose of making favorable impressions, in behalf of the United States, there is no difficulty in acceding to the conditions prescribed by Mr. Foster, which I understand to be, that Prince shall not be permitted to enjoy his liberty in this country, but be sent to his own, free from expense to Mr. Foster, who is pleased to ask nothing for the manumission of Prince on those conditions."

Although treated extremely unfairly in America, Abdul seemed impressed by his new friends in Washington and did not seem eager to leave after being shown around Washington D.C. 

(A letter from Abdul Rahman Ibrahima to his children) 

".....the gentlemen took me in a carriage around the town, and showed me all the beauties thereof. In Washington, I visited the President's house, but I found the President the best piece of furniture in the house."

"My reception by Mr. Clay was very flattering to me; he invited me to partake of the hospitalities of his house, which I declined, telling him of my good treatment at Williamson's hotel."


Although sending Abdul home and paying for his release from enslavement is a step in the right direction for America in terms of slavery. It shows America's status with equal opportunities at the time. Even when the case was brought to the highest of powers, John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay knew that Abdul would not have the same freedoms in America as a black man that he would have in Africa. Although Washington D.C. was a progressing city for African-Americans, it still could not provide equal treatment and protection to all races which was why Abdul was sent home even though he liked the scene of Washington D.C. 
]]> 2020-11-30 13:29:36 UTC https://padlet.com/abrsil231_1/u5tf03ctmmp3q6zs/wish/971089128 Image abrsil231_1 https://padlet.com/abrsil231_1/u5tf03ctmmp3q6zs/wish/971092045 The image was created during the planning of the construction of Washington D.C. It was created by the French architect Pierre-Charles L'Enfant who was appointed by George Washington to plan out the city. L'Enfant took ideas from European cities to construct his ideas of what Washington D.C. should look like. From the picture it can be observed that the city was put on the mouth of the Potomac River. The reason for having it on the river was to lead to having an economy in this capital of trade. Which Washington hoped would be a symbol for the rest of the nation in which it would be heavily focused on trade. 

The roads seem to be in a grid style that lead to two major centers. These two are The White House which is the one to the west and The Capitol Building which is the one more to the east with the National Mall in between. The point of having these locations central and the point of interest was to raise national appreciation. These buildings would symbolize America’s strength as being grand with great pillars to show the beginning of a great nation.]]> 2020-11-30 13:30:24 UTC https://padlet.com/abrsil231_1/u5tf03ctmmp3q6zs/wish/971092045 Description https://padlet.com/abrsil231_1/u5tf03ctmmp3q6zs/wish/971098990 Washington D.C was first constructed in the early 1800s. Something extremely notable about the construction of Washington D.C was the diverse cultural involvement. Pierre-Charles L'Enfant from France was one of the architects and was heavily influenced by the European style of architecture and integrated it into Washington D.C. by making the city layout a grid. Additionally, the Capitol Building, designed by William Thornton, after winning a competition was modeled after a Roman Pantheon. 

Although the involvement of different cultures and influences was mostly positive and representative of America's new unified identity, it was also problematic. Slaves, free blacks, and Irish immigrants made up a large portion of the people constructing this city. They were fed, housed, and treated poorly and were frequently exposed to sicknesses. Also, slaves were paid just $5 per month for the service they would provide. 

Initially, Washington D.C was viewed poorly as it was extremely humid and "dirty". However, it soon came to resemble elite status and America's view on slavery. Only the very political (and most likely white) elite attended Washington D.C. In addition, slaves were not only used for the construction but were continuously utilized in the white house in the kitchen, garden, and yard. ]]> 2020-11-30 13:32:13 UTC https://padlet.com/abrsil231_1/u5tf03ctmmp3q6zs/wish/971098990 Bibliography abrsil231_1 https://padlet.com/abrsil231_1/u5tf03ctmmp3q6zs/wish/971136224 Clay, Henry, and Abdul Rahman Ibrahima. “Letters from Henry Clay and Abdul Rahman Ibrahima.” American History, Facts On File, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=17283&itemid=WE52&primarySourceId=7202. Accessed 30 Nov. 2020.
Hewitt, Nancy A., and Steven F. Lawson. Exploring American Histories: a Survey. Bedford/St. Martin's, Macmillan Learning, 2019.
King, Stewart R. “Washington, D.C. and Free Blacks.” Encyclopedia of Free Blacks and People of Color in the Americas, Facts On File, 2012. African-American History, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=17283&itemid=WE01&articleId=570333. Accessed 30 Nov. 2020.
Perales, Marian. "Washington, D.C." American History, ABC-CLIO, 2020, americanhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/1017034. Accessed 21 Nov. 2020.
"Pierre-Charles L'enfant's City Plan of Washington, D.C." American History, ABC-CLIO, 2020, americanhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/1030992. Accessed 21 Nov. 2020.

]]> 2020-11-30 13:41:17 UTC https://padlet.com/abrsil231_1/u5tf03ctmmp3q6zs/wish/971136224 Analysis abrsil231_1 https://padlet.com/abrsil231_1/u5tf03ctmmp3q6zs/wish/973775006 How did early Americans construct a political identity and/or national meaning?

Washington as the first president of the United States wanted a united nation with a great capital. He thought the capitol should be a representation of the country as a whole. This is why it was decided to have the capital in a more central location, so when it was united with the north and the south and not just for one of the regions. The location of it, being between two rivers made it lead towards trade and foreign exchange which Washington wanted the nation to be very focused on. The ideas for the construction of the city, for example having the central locations of The White House and The Capitol building, made a stronger symbol of a national government, a problem earlier in the nation’s history. The architecture was Roman with large pillars to show the power that the nation had along with the opportunity in the nation since there was the ability to gain wealth. Having the buildings’ plans chosen by competition within the population shows the opportunity that every individual has. Even the name Washington D.C. was important in constructing an identity of the nation, because D.C. stands for “District of Columbia” which pays homage to the goddess of liberty. 

The country aimed to represent unity among the states and symbolize the freedoms and liberties of the American people. Which the leaders strived for the capital to represent. However, the mistreatment of slaves throughout the country and the use of slavery in the construction of Washington D.C as well as their continued use in government buildings contradicts these freedoms and liberties. Although Washington D.C. became a place of opportunity for African-Americans, American leaders of Washington were not willing to replicate this environment throughout all the states. They did not denounce or abolish slavery and even the nation’s highest authority figures and leaders continued to own slaves. Although D.C. did represent unity of the states, the leaders made it clear that slaves were not included in this unification. 

The contradiction between what the capital symbolized and the reality for the mass majority in the country shows the national identity perfectly and completely. The nation that had been built may have great opportunities and wealth for the people it wishes to serve. For those who had the power to propose for the capital to be constructed this was the country's identity, one of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. For the vast population, especially ones who were enslaved, the country’s identity did not have liberty involved at all. The capital may have many symbols of liberty and camaraderie, but for the ones who contributed in the manufacturing of it, would have a very different perspective.

]]> 2020-11-30 23:17:54 UTC https://padlet.com/abrsil231_1/u5tf03ctmmp3q6zs/wish/973775006 Kahoot Link abrsil231_1 https://padlet.com/abrsil231_1/u5tf03ctmmp3q6zs/wish/974074190 https://play.kahoot.it/v2/?quizId=3ba93793-a92a-4f08-a564-7a9230e97e5e]]> 2020-12-01 01:46:46 UTC https://padlet.com/abrsil231_1/u5tf03ctmmp3q6zs/wish/974074190