<p>Name:______Per:____ Date:______Washington Chooses a Cabinet</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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</p><p>Today the president’s cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of 15 executive departments.</p><p>THE CABINET, 1789 TO TODAY</p><p>Branch Role (what do they do?) Head of the Department today Department of War (Defense)</p><p>1789 Department of State</p><p>1789 Treasury</p><p>1789 Interior</p><p>1849 Justice</p><p>1870 Agriculture</p><p>1889 Commerce</p><p>1903 Labor</p><p>1913 Health and Human Services</p><p>1953 Housing and Urban Development</p><p>1965 Transportation</p><p>1966 Energy</p><p>1977 Education</p><p>1979 Veteran’s Affairs</p><p>1988 Homeland Security</p><p>2002</p><p>Questions to consider (answer on a separate piece of paper):</p><p>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?</p>