Famous US Secretaries of State Quiz

Answer: Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson, in addition to being the first Secretary of State (serving under George Washington), was also the first of them to later become President.

Answer: Madeleine Albright

Madeleine Albright was the first female Secretary of State, serving during the administration of Bill Clinton. In addition she was the second foreign-born Secretary of State, having been born in Prague, Czechoslovakia, in 1937. The first was Henry Kissinger, born in Germany in 1923, who was Secretary of State from 1973-77.

Answer: Colin Powell

Colin Powell was appointed Secretary of State by George W. Bush for his first term. Condoleezza Rice held the office during Bush's second term.

Answer: William Seward

In addition to serving under Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War, Seward was the prime figure in the acquisition of Alaska from Russia that was referred to in those times as "Seward's Folly".

Answer: George Marshall

After World War Two, the economies of many nations were in dire straights. George Marshall initiated a plan to speed recovery of those nations. President Truman called it the Marshall Plan. Marshall received the Nobel Peace Prize, the first military person to be so named.

Answer: William Jennings Bryan

William Jennings Bryan was the Democratic Party candidate for president in 1896, 1900, and 1908. As Secretary of State under Woodrow Wilson, he served from March 1913 until June 1915. He was later a witness for the prosecution in the famed Scopes Trial in 1925 where he was humiliated by defense attorney Clarence Darrow.

Answer: Cordell Hull

Cordell Hull served in all four of Franklin Roosevelt's four terms. The Constitution now limits the presidency to two four year terms so it would be difficult to serve anywhere near Hull's 4289 days. Next on the list are Dean Rusk and William Seward, both with 2921 days.

Answer: John Foster Dulles

John Foster Dulles was one of the more aggressive Secretary of State. He held the position through most of Dwight Eisenhower's administration. His Cold War policies reflected the anti-communist mood of the times that was a part of many agreements he negotiated. The press dubbed his policies 'brinkmanship" as some might well have led to hostilities.

Answer: James Buchanan

Buchanan is remembered for his ineptness in stemming the tide of the Civil War. However, as Secretary of State under James K. Polk he led negotiations that vastly expanded the territories of the United States with the Oregon Treaty and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

Answer: John Hay

John Hay probably had more access to Abraham Lincoln than any one else. Later he was to serve as Secretary of State under both McKinley And Theodore Roosevelt. He urged annexation of the Philippines, an Open Door policy toward China, and negotiated the treaty with Panama paving the way for the Canal.