What Does The Secretary Of State Do?

Diplomacy

Hey Travelers! Today we are going to be learning more about the secretary of state. In this article, we’ll discover the duties, responsibilities, and history of this position, and why this job is important in terms of America’s relations with the rest of the world.

Who is the Secretary of State?

The Secretary of State holds an important but critical role as the president’s primary foreign policy adviser. This person is a significant figure in U.S. foreign relations as they guide our country through the complexities and challenges of international affairs.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Secretary of State oversees the execution of the president’s foreign policies through the Department of State, including the Foreign Service and Civil Service. Additionally, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) receives foreign policy guidance from the Secretary of State. In the presidential line of succession, the Secretary of State is fourth. The secretary’s position in the line of succession demonstrates the importance of his/her role in times of transition.

The History of The Position

The beginning of this esteemed position dates back to 1787 when the U.S. Constitution was drafted. During this time, The Department of State was initially called the Department of Foreign Affairs. Thomas Jefferson, appointed by George Washington in 1789, served as the first Secretary of State. It is worth mentioning that several early Secretaries, including Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Adams, Van Buren, and Buchanan, went on to become U.S. presidents.

Photo Credit: Public Domain. Did you know Thomas Jefferson was the 1st Secretary of State?

Notable Secretaries of State

Over our nation’s history, more than 70 individuals have held this position. Three women (Madeleine Albright, Condoleezza Rice, and Hillary Clinton) and two African Americans (Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice) have held this position and contributed significantly to shaping U.S. foreign policy.