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Washington DC - History |
Washington DC in 1850
The name of the capital city is from the first president of
USA. On December 15, 1799, Tobias Lear, George Washington's friend and secretary, wrote to President John Adams, "It is with inexpressible grief, that I have to announce to you the death of the great and good General Washington." Washington, surrounded by his family and physicians, had died on the evening of December 14 after a short illness diagnosed by his doctors as quinsy, a severe inflammation of
the tissue surrounding the tonsils. According to his wishes, he was not buried for three days. On December 18, 1799, a solemn and majestic funeral was held at Mount Vernon.
On Saturday, December 18, 1999, Mount Vernon recreated the funeral of George Washington. This historic event is the culmination of a national year-long commemoration of George Washington's life and contributions to our nation. Descendants of many of the original pall bearers, military, and principal mourners were present to commemorate their ancestors' tribute to General Washington.
The War of 1812 is one of the forgotten wars of the United States. The war lasted for over two years, and while it ended much like it started- in stalemate- it was in fact a war that once and for all confirmed American Independence. The offensive actions of the United States failed in every attempt to capture Canada. On the other hand, the British army was successfully stopped when it attempted to capture Baltimore and New Orleans. There were a number of American naval victories in which American vessels proved themselves superior to similarly sized British vessels. These victories coming after victories in the Quasi War (an even more forgotten war) launched American naval traditions.
The White House at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, was originally constructed 1791-1800, the work of James Hoban. It was reconstructed in 1815 after being burned by British soldiers during the War of 1812. It has been the home of every president of the United States since John Adams. The exterior of the main structure, despite some additions and minor changes, remains much as it was in 1800; the interior has been completely renovated using the historic floor plan. It is significant for its Federal architecture, as a symbol of the presidency, and for the important decision made within its walls over the years
The 1890s and early years of the twentieth century were a turning point in American society. The economic system struggled to define itself and Americans through the language of consumption; social unrest and violence, results of economic depressions, disgust with corruption in government, and overcrowded urban centers erupted periodically throughout the era; and the agrarian way of life, so familiar and fundamental to American thought and self-image, was passing away into a nostalgic past. Historian Harold Faulkner observes that Americans
witnessed the passing of the frontier and the rise of the United States to a position of world power and responsibility which was to make any return to her old isolation increasingly difficult, if not impossible. Old issues were dead or dying; sectional tension was no longer a force of much importance in politics, and efforts to revive it proved unavailing. Most important of all, the triumph of industry over agriculture was now assured. The Industrial Revolution, if not completed, had gone so far as to make turning back to the ways of a simpler agrarian society out of the question.
"As a planned city, Washington provided opportunities for the creation of large scale urban unity: the axial government complex could be harmoniously embodied within, and related to, a comprehensively ordered street fabric."
Yet this was not the case with the 1901 plan; in fact many, even at the time, saw the focus on the Mall as exclusive rather than inclusive, a lost opportunity to address not only city beautification as well as social and economic reforms, but also thoughts for the future as the growing national government expanded the borders of Washington D.C.
The 1901 Plan for Washington D.C. was not at its core a plan for the growing metropolitan city, but for a monumental center which would invoke European and classical forms in order to legitimize the power of the planners, the growing government, and America in the international arena. It would also provide a focus for civic and national pride, which would in turn somehow magically ameliorate the city's and nation's economic and social problems. When the Commission presented the Plan to President Roosevelt and the public in an exhibition at the Corcoran Gallery, the estimated $200-600 million required to put the plan into place was only one of many concerns voiced. The legacy of the City Beautiful movement in Washington D.C., and throughout the country, is being felt even today in debates over city beautification versus economic redevelopment.
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