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US Secretary of State Trivia Quiz

The United States Secretary of State was often the second most powerful person in government next to the president. Questions include both the history of the office and persons who held that office.

A multiple-choice quiz by Rehaberpro. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
Rehaberpro

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
386,250

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
250

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The US Secretary of State goes through an appointment process. Which of these is NOT part of this system? Hint

Approved by vote in the House of Representatives

Confirmed by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

Nominated by the President

Approved by vote in the Senate

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Question 2 of 10

2. What was NOT among the initial responsibilities of the US Secretary of State as conceived in 1789? Hint

Receipt, publication, distribution, and preservation of the laws of the United States

Custody of the Great Seal of the United States

Overall responsibilities for the conduct of foreign affairs

Custody of the records of the former Secretary of the Continental Congress

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Question 3 of 10

3. The duties of the modern US Secretary of State include nine principle elements. Which of these would NOT be one of the nine assignments? Hint

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

Advises the President on matters relating to U.S. foreign policy

Supervises the United States Foreign Service

Supervises the administration of the U.S. immigration policy abroad

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Question 4 of 10

4. Who was the first US Secretary of State under the Constitution? Hint

John Jay

Benjamin Franklin

James Madison

Thomas Jefferson

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which of the following US Secretaries of State served the longest term in office? Hint

Cordell Hull

William Seward

Dean Rusk

John Quincy Adams

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Question 6 of 10

6. Who was the first African/American US Secretary of State? Hint

Condoleezza Rice

Jesse Jackson

Ralph Bunche

Colin Powell

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Question 7 of 10

7. Who was the first female US Secretary of State? Hint

Hilary Clinton

Madeleine Albright

Condoleezza Rice

Mary Baker Eddy

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Question 8 of 10

8. In the nineteenth century, how many Secretaries of State later became President of the United States? Hint

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which President had the most Secretaries of State, including both acting and appointed? Hint

Andrew Jackson

John Tyler

Jimmy Carter

Richard Nixon

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Question 10 of 10

10. The Internet site "Ranker.com" evaluated the impact of Secretaries of State on history. Which of the following names did it select as number one? Hint

Henry Kissinger

Hillary Clinton

Thomas Jefferson

George Marshall

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The US Secretary of State goes through an appointment process. Which of these is NOT part of this system?

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.

2. What was NOT among the initial responsibilities of the US Secretary of State as conceived in 1789?

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.

3. The duties of the modern US Secretary of State include nine principle elements. Which of these would NOT be one of the nine assignments?

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.

4. Who was the first US Secretary of State under the Constitution?

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.

5. Which of the following US Secretaries of State served the longest term in office?

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.

6. Who was the first African/American US Secretary of State?

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.

7. Who was the first female US Secretary of State?

Answer: Madeleine Albright

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

8. In the nineteenth century, how many Secretaries of State later became President of the United States?

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.

9. Which President had the most Secretaries of State, including both acting and appointed?

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.

10. The Internet site "Ranker.com" evaluated the impact of Secretaries of State on history. Which of the following names did it select as number one?

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.

Source: Author Rehaberpro

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