— Ch. 1 · Founding And Early Evolution —
United States Department of State.
~4 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
On the 27th of July 1789, President George Washington signed legislation that created the Department of State. This act established the first federal agency under the new U.S. Constitution. The department began with only six personnel and two diplomatic posts in London and Paris. Secretary Thomas Jefferson oversaw a tiny operation where one clerk managed foreign affairs while another handled domestic matters. Congress authorized hiring a chief clerk for each office in June 1790, but consolidated them into a single clerk by July 1790. In September 1789, the agency also took on domestic duties like managing the United States Mint and keeping the Great Seal. These responsibilities gradually moved to other departments over the nineteenth century. By 1793, patent responsibility transferred from the cabinet to the State Department. The office of superintendent of patents existed until Congress recognized it officially in 1830.
Structural Reforms And Professionalization
The Rogers Act of 1924 merged the diplomatic and consular services into a unified Foreign Service system. Before this reform, appointments relied heavily on political patronage rather than merit or skill. A difficult examination process was implemented to ensure highly qualified recruits entered the service. Promotions became based on performance rather than connections. The act created the Board of the Foreign Service to advise the secretary on management issues. It also established the Board of Examiners to administer the testing process. During World War I, the Bureau of Citizenship vetted every person entering or leaving the country. New branches opened in New York and San Francisco to handle the increased volume. In the final months of that war, the bureau split into the Division of Passport Control and the Visa Office. Post-World War II funding surged as the U.S. emerged as a superpower. Employee numbers grew from roughly 2,000 in 1940 to over 13,000 by 1960.