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=== State Department ===

=== State Department ===

The State Department, or more formerly the "Department of State," is the federal agency that deals with foreign nations and diplomacy.  In the first few decades of our Nation's history, the leader of this department (the "Secretary of State") was the most important federal official other than the president.  Indeed, holding the position of Secretary of State was a stepping stone to becoming president:  most of the politicians who held the position of Secretary of State early years of our Nation later became president.

The State Department, or more formerly the "Department of State," is the federal agency that deals with foreign nations and diplomacy.  In the first few decades of our Nation's history, the leader of this department (the "Secretary of State") was the most important federal official other than the president.  Indeed, holding the position of Secretary of State was a stepping stone to becoming president:  most of the politicians who held the position of Secretary of State in the early years of our Nation later became president.

Thomas Jefferson first served as Secretary of State under President Washington.  James Madison served as Secretary of State under President Jefferson.  James Monroe served under President Madison.  John Quincy Adams did likewise under President Monroe.  And so on.

Thomas Jefferson first served as Secretary of State under President Washington.  James Madison served as Secretary of State under President Jefferson.  James Monroe served as Secretary of State under President Madison.  John Quincy Adams did likewise under President Monroe.  And so on.

Dealing with foreign countries is a primary responsibility of the President, and the Secretary of State advises him on this.  When conflicts arise in foreign nations, the Secretary of State advises the president on how to handle them, and he or she often travels to those countries to try to resolve the conflicts.

Dealing with foreign countries is a primary responsibility of the president, and the Secretary of State advises him on this.  When conflicts arise in foreign nations, the Secretary of State advises the president on how to handle them, and he or she often travels to those countries to try to resolve the conflicts with diplomacy.

At this time, and throughout the Obama Administration, the Secretary of State has been Hillary Clinton, at her request.  She thought it would be a good stepping stone to run for president in 2016.  She is likely to resign from her position as Secretary of State early next year, in order to begin running for the Democratic nomination for president in 2016.

At this time, and throughout the Obama Administration, the Secretary of State has been Hillary Clinton, at her request.  She thought it would be a good stepping stone to run for president in 2016.  She is likely to resign from her position as Secretary of State early next year, in order to begin running for the Democratic nomination for president in 2016 (it takes years to run for president).

The State Department was extremely important during the Cold War (1945-1990), and Senator Joseph McCarthy accused Democratic Administrations of allowing the State Department to be infiltrated by communists who were opposed to our freedoms and position of strength in the world.

The State Department was extremely important during the Cold War (1945-1990), and Senator Joseph McCarthy accused Democratic Administrations of allowing the State Department to be infiltrated by communists who were opposed to our freedoms and position of strength in the world.

Perhaps the most famous Secretary of State in American history was William Jennings Bryan, who resigned from his position in protest about how Woodrow Wilson was pushing the United States into World War I.  About ten years later Bryan, who was a skilled attorney and orator, won the Scopes Trial to prohibit the teaching in Tennessee of the theory of human evolution.

Perhaps the most famous Secretary of State in American history was William Jennings Bryan, who resigned from his position in protest about how his President Woodrow Wilson was pushing the United States into World War I.  About ten years later Bryan, who was a skilled attorney and orator, won the Scopes Trial to prohibit the teaching in Tennessee of the theory of human evolution.

There are thousands of employees in the State Department to research and analyze what is going on around the world, in order to inform the Secretary of State, who can then then give advice to the president.  People who are skilled at foreign languages and knowledgeable about foreign cultures and government are wanted as employees by the State Department.  Many State Department employees work in D.C., but some would also work at the United Nations, based in Manhattan, and in embassies around the world.  Georgetown University, located in D.C., is a college that has a program specializing in training future diplomats and employees of the State Department.

There are thousands of employees in the State Department to research and analyze what is going on around the world, in order to inform the Secretary of State, who can then then give advice to the president.  People who are skilled at foreign languages and knowledgeable about foreign cultures and government are wanted as employees by the State Department.  Many State Department employees work in D.C., but some would also work at the United Nations, based in Manhattan, and in embassies around the world.  Georgetown University, located in D.C., is a college that has a program specializing in training future diplomats and employees of the State Department.