Precedents of George Washington
Washington created the first Presidential Cabinet. Who was on the Cabinet, and what Departments did they represent? Who is on the Cabinet today, and what Departments do they represent?
According to “Cabinet Members”. According to “Cabinet”.
Thomas Jefferson-Secretary of State Joseph Biden-Vice President
Alexander Hamilton-Secretary of the Treasury John Kerry-Department of State
Henry Knox-Secretary of War Jack Lew-Department of the Treasury
Edmund Randolph-Attorney General Ashton Carter-Department of Defense
Loretta Lynch-Department of Justice
Sally Jewell-Department of the Interior
Thomas Vilsack-Department of Agriculture
Penny Pritzker-Department of Commerce
Thomas Perez-Department of Labor
Sylvia Burwell-Department of Health and Human Services
Julián Castro-Department of Housing and Urban Development
Anthony Foxx-Department of Transportation
Ernest Moniz-Department of Energy
Arne Duncan-Department of Education
Robert McDonald-Department of Veteran Affairs
Jeh Johnson-Department of Homeland Security
2. Washington was the first President to leave office after two terms. Did he specifically intend for future presidents to be limited to two terms? Who were the presidents who tried for three terms? Who was the successful one?
According to “Presidential Precedents” and “The Presidency of George Washington”, Washington was aware that every decision he made set a precedent including keeping his presidency to two terms.
3. Washington was the first to establish foreign policy, and issued the Proclamation of Neutrality. What situation did this proclamation address? What agency advises the President on foreign policy today? What is the role of this agency?
George Washington explained in his “Proclamation of Neutrality” that the United States needed to remain neutral during the Napoleonic Wars. Today, according to “Duties of the Secretary of State”, the Secretary of State advises the President. He then works through the State Department and the Foreign Service in enforcing policy.
Works Cited
“Cabinet.” The WHITE HOUSE. USA.gov. Web. 2015. July 11, 2015. https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/cabinet.
“Cabinet Members.” George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. Web. 2015. July 11, 2015. http://www.mountvernon.org/research-collections/digital-encyclopedia/article/cabinet-members/.
“Duties of the Secretary of State.” The WHITE HOUSE. USA.gov. Web. 2015. July 11, 2015. http://www.state.gov/secretary/115194.htm.
“The Presidency of George Washington.” Bill Jackson. Web. July 11, 2015. http://www.socialstudieshelp.com/USRA_Washington.htm.
“Presidential Precedents.” George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. Web. 2015. July 11, 2015. http://www.mountvernon.org/research-collections/digital-encyclopedia/article/cabinet-members/.
Washington, George. “The Proclamation of Neutrality.” Philadelphia. April 23, 1793. Retrieved from http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/the-proclamation-of-neutrality/.
