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.