washington's cabinet
TRANSCRIPT
Washington’s CabinetHis first group of advisors
Congress Authorizes
A Department of StateA Department of WarA Department of TreasuryAn Attorney-General
Washington Appoints
Thomas Jefferson: Secretary of StateHenry Knox: Secretary of WarAlexander Hamilton: Secretary of TreasuryEdmund Randolph: Attorney General
The first Cabinet
The Job: Secretary of State
● To be the chief diplomat for the United States
● To coordinate the foreign policy of the President
● To oversee treaty negotiations● To be the boss of ambassadors
The first Current
Thomas Jefferson John Kerry
The Job: Secretary of War
● To advise the President in how to oversee the defense of the United States
● To direct the armed forces at the order of the President
● To oversee all aspects of the military’s day-to-day operations
● To advise the President about how to direct the nation in times of war
The first Current
Henry Knox Chuck Hagel
The Job: Secretary of the Treasury
● To be the main economic advisor to the President
● To oversee the Treasury of the United States on behalf of the President
● To recommend tax policies and monetary policies to the President
The first Current
Alexander Hamilton Jacob Lew
The Job: Attorney General
● To be the advisor to the President of the United States in all legal matters pertaining to the United States
● To represent the United States in all Supreme Court cases
● Does not have the title “Secretary”
The first Current
Edmund Randolph Eric Holder
ProblemsThese men now need to come up with solutions to the following 5 problems
Problem #1
● The Nation owes $11.7 million to foreign governments
● States owe $21.5 million combined to each other and individuals and foreign governments
● The Nation owes $42.6 to people who live in the United States.○ Total debt: $75.6 million
Problem #2
The nation has no cash.
The treasury is empty.
Problem #3
Securing the frontier● British forts● Louisiana Territory● Native American Tribes● Unorganized territories need to become
states.
Problem #4
The nation has no real military● 647 soldiers in the army● No navy● States have militias
Problem #5 Abroad
France has a revolutionBritain goes to war with FranceSpain is stirring up trouble among southern Native Americans.