2007-04-08 15:33:48 · 11 answers · asked by J 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
US Constitution.
Article 1, Section 8,
"Congress shall have the power:
To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States,"
DC was ceded by Virginia and Maryland. Power to legislate over the federal district rests with Congress.
Did they not teach you this in your Constitution class?
2007-04-08 15:49:23 · answer #1 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sandy is right. It was so no state could have influence over the federal government, such as arresting certain representatives they didn't like, keeping the Congress from meeting, etc. Things like that had actually happened when the capital was at Philadelphia. The North vs. South thing was about where the capital would be located, but it wasn't the reason it was made a federal district instead of in a state.
2007-04-08 15:59:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When it was set up as the nation's capital, it was deliberately made as no part of a state. The reason is because the founding father's didn't want the members of other states to feel as though any one state had more or better influence in the capital. It was to be independent of the individual states. If you recall, the states were to have autonomy (as they do) and thus the capital needed to be separate from all the states and yet part of the country. This is why.
2007-04-08 15:38:59 · answer #3 · answered by sandy 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It was a comprimise between the northern and southern states. The early capitals were in the north and the south complained so they set aside land that was a federal district, not a part of any state, and was in the south.
2007-04-08 15:43:23 · answer #4 · answered by lestermount 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because it is the site of the Federal Government which serves all the States in the Union.
2007-04-08 15:37:01 · answer #5 · answered by scarlettt_ohara 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is quite common in a federal set up for the capital not to be in any state. Other nations too have this.
2007-04-08 15:39:13 · answer #6 · answered by Traveller 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It was to prevent one state from claiming the nation's capital. To prevent rivalry among the states.
2007-04-08 15:37:01 · answer #7 · answered by msi_cord 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is. Usually, it's in a state of denial.
2007-04-08 15:43:44 · answer #8 · answered by yupchagee 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yeah every state would wan the nation capitol in it we all know he really deserves it though TEXAS!!
2007-04-08 15:38:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
They should consider doing so in order to help control their crime.
2007-04-08 15:36:31 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋