Not satisfied with the super-scaled and ostentatious baroque/rococo churches, architects sought an architecture that promoted social responsibility and classical education. this period was known as

The correct answer is Neoclassicism

Neoclassicism was a European movement that raised between the XVIII and XIX centuries and claimed the art return to ancient classical art, in fact, the Greek-Roman culture, and refused the previous movements – Baroque and Rococo – extravagant canons.

Explanation:

That movement had great expressions in sculpture, painting, and architecture. Differently from Baroque and Rococo, Neoclassicism was strict in the use of ornaments and sinuosity, proposing an architecture that safeguarded the technique but also had a social aspect that could approach the construction to its observers and users. The aim was to inform but also regarded the fruition aspect.

For example, an educational institution building should use in its project elements that would communicate that that building proposes. The use of columns, porticos, windows positions, etc, should be in harmony according to classical canons, without exaggerating their means. The same would be used by governmental, hospital, and residence buildings.

Besides its rigid aspects regarding the form, Neoclassicism rescued the social and political qualities of art, being influenced by the Enlightenment and the French Revolution, which had a romanticist view of returning to the classic standards. That’s why that movement was adopted as the model inside the Art Academies and their duty with education. Academies were also responsible for spreading Neoclassicism around the world, which can be found in many constructions in all continents.

Washington’s Capitol and the White House are examples of Neoclassical architecture in the USA. In fact, Washington D.C. was planned under the classical canons, whether in its geographical plan, but also in its original constructions.