George Washington, the first President of the United States, had four main advisers. Congress created a Department of State, Department of War, and a department of the Treasury. The heads of the departments were called secretaries. Congress also created an attorney general's office to help the President with legal matters. The secretaries and the attorney general met with President Washington often. They became known as the President's cabinet. Today the President's cabinet is made up of the heads of fourteen executive departments. Cabinet members are appointed by the President and approved by Congress.
Questions to think about in this chapter:
1. Identify the names of the executive departments
2. Give reasons why the number of executive
3. Describe the responsibilities of the Departments of State, Treasury, and Justice.
4. Identify the responsibilities of each of the executive departments.