Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) Practice Exam

The first Secretary of State of the United States was Thomas Jefferson. He served in this role from 1790 to 1793 under President George Washington. As Secretary of State, Jefferson was responsible for overseeing the nation's foreign affairs and played a crucial role in shaping American diplomacy during the early years of the republic.

Thomas Jefferson's approach to foreign policy emphasized both the importance of maintaining diplomatic relations and a focus on promoting American interests abroad. His tenure included significant events like the drafting of the Jay Treaty, which established relations with Great Britain, and the groundwork for the Louisiana Purchase, which would dramatically expand U.S. territory. Jefferson’s visionary ideas and strong advocacy for the principles of democracy and liberty laid the foundation for U.S. foreign relations in the years to come.

The other individuals listed played significant roles in American history but were not the first Secretary of State. John Adams was the second President and previously a chief diplomat but never held the position of Secretary of State. Alexander Hamilton served as the first Secretary of the Treasury and was instrumental in establishing the nation's financial system, while Henry Kissinger was an influential Secretary of State during the 1970s known for his role in U.S. foreign policy during the Vietnam War and détente with the Soviet Union and China