An Empire in a City: Foundations of Washington, D.C., 1776 to 1861

This research project will examine the foundations of Washington, D.C., and how the city’s map and construction identify imperial inspirations that influenced its design and use. It will also examine how these imperial frameworks were intentionally created to sustain historical narratives about the American people and their government. Using correspondence from James Madison and other Founding Fathers, the intention behind the construction of the national capital city becomes significant to our understanding of the political and national philosophy that exists in the current national atmosphere. By placing the capital at the geographic and economic center of the empire, the government followed the scripts of past Empires that sought to consolidate power and legitimize their national existence. The goal of this project is to analyze the establishment of the federal capital city of the United States, examine the city of Washington D.C. as a symbol of American imperial power, and explore the impact of its construction and reconstruction on narratives of national pride and international presence.