US Secretary of State Trivia Quiz

Answer: Approved by vote in the House of Representatives

Surprisingly, the House has no official role in selecting the Secretary of State. In theory the Senate is composed of statesmen who have a longer view of government and serve six year terms. The House members are elected for two years and are considered more populist representatives.

Answer: Overall responsibilities for the conduct of foreign affairs

The duties assigned the early Secretaries of State were rather clerical, but the position was to grow in importance. In addition to the three incorrect answers were preparation, sealing, and recording of the commissions of Presidential appointees and custody of the records of the former Secretary of the Continental Congress, except for those of the Treasury and War Departments.

Answer: Supervises programs relating to Native American, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, territorial affairs,

Here are the other duties:

Negotiates, interprets, or terminates treaties and agreements and conducts negotiations relating to all U.S. foreign affairs

Personally participates in or directs U.S. representatives to international conferences, organizations, and agencies.

Provides information and services to U.S. citizens living or travelling abroad, including providing credentials in the form of passports and visas.

Ensures the protection of the U.S. Government to American citizens, property, and interests in foreign countries.

Communicates issues relating the U.S. foreign policy to Congress and to U.S. citizens.

Promotes beneficial economic activity between the U.S. and other countries.

The supervision of native Americans, Hawaiians, and native Alaskans is the responsibility of the Department of the Interior.

Answer: Thomas Jefferson

Technically John Jay was the first Secretary of State but he was appointed as Acting Secretary. The first under the Constitution was Thomas Jefferson who served under George Washington from March 22, 1790 to December 31, 1793.

Answer: Cordell Hull

Cordell Hull was Secretary of State from March 4, 1933 to November 30, 1944 under Franklin Roosevelt. It is not impossible but not likely to be broken as Roosevelt was elected for four terms and the current law allows only two terms. Hull served 4289 days; next on that list are Dean Rusk with 2921 days under both John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson and William Seward who served under Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson, also with 2921 days.

Answer: Colin Powell

Powell served during George W. Bush's first term; Rice served during his second. Jackson and Bunche never served as Secretary of State.

Answer: Madeleine Albright

Albright Served under Bill Clinton; Rice under George W. Bush; Clinton under Obama. Eddy was a religious leader.

Answer: 5

Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, and Martin Van Buren all served as Secretary of State. There were none in the twentieth century nor thus far in the twenty first.

Answer: Jimmy Carter

The bulk of Jimmy Carter's term was filled with Cyrus Vance and Edmond Muskie at the Secretary of State position. However, in the transition between them several filled in. Warren Christopher was twice acting as was David Newsome. Philip Habib served three days and David Cooper less than a day. A total of six men wore the acting label plus the two appointees for a total of eight.

Answer: George Marshall

George Marshall served under Harry S. Truman. Marshall crafted an ambitious plan to rebuild Europe to help heal the scars of World War Two and to bring those devastated countries on the road to economic stability. It was officially called the European Recovery Program but Truman insisted on calling it the Marshall Plan.

In 1953 George Marshall won the Nobel Peace Prize, the first career military man to be so accorded.