Washington Chooses a Cabinet

Name:______Per:____ Date:______Washington Chooses a Cabinet

In his inaugural address, Washington spoke modestly about his lack of administrative experience. But the former commander in chief was certainly an experienced leader. His dignity and quiet power, along with his impressive height, gave him an air of authority.

Washington knew that what he did as president would set a pattern for later administrations. For example, the Constitution mentions the “heads of the executive departments” but did not specify what those departments should be. So, in 1789 Congress created the first three executive departments—state, treasury, and war. The leaders of these departments would become known as the president’s cabinet.

For the cabinet positions, Washington chose men he knew and trusted. Henry Knox, who had been in charge of weaponry in the Revolutionary War, became secretary of war. Thomas Jefferson became secretary of state, and Alexander Hamilton became secretary of the treasury. Edmund Randolph of Virginia was attorney general, the president’s legal adviser.

Washington appointed four cabinet members, pictured with him here: 1: Henry Knox – Department of War 2: Thomas Jefferson – Department of State 3: Edmund Randolph – Attorney General 4: Alexander Hamilton – Department of Treasury 5: George Washington - President

Today the president’s cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of 15 executive departments.

THE CABINET, 1789 TO TODAY

Branch Role (what do they do?) Head of the Department today Department of War (Defense)

1789 Department of State

1789 Treasury

1789 Interior

1849 Justice

1870 Agriculture

1889 Commerce

1903 Labor

1913 Health and Human Services

1953 Housing and Urban Development

1965 Transportation

1966 Energy

1977 Education

1979 Veteran’s Affairs

1988 Homeland Security

Questions to consider (answer on a separate piece of paper):

1. What precedent did Washington set in selecting his first cabinet? 2. What cabinet position do you think is most important? Why? 3. What cabinet position do you think is least important? Why? 4. Why do you think new cabinet positions are added? 5. If you had to create a new cabinet position, what would it be? Why?