What does the U.S. State Department Do? Check History, Duties, and Structure

The United States Department of State is the powerhouse behind America's foreign policy. Established on July 27, 1789, it is often called simply the "State Department". It's the cornerstone of the U.S. government that handles how the country relates to other nations around the world. Marco Rubio serves as the 72nd United States Secretary of State. The State Department is America's main go-between with other countries. It works to help the U.S. achieve its goals and spread its ideas worldwide. Knowing about this department is super important if you want to understand how the U.S. deals with the rest of the world.

It fosters international stability and advancing democratic values. Understanding the intricacies of this department is crucial for comprehending the nuances of U.S. foreign policy and its impact on the geopolitical landscape. This article delves into the department's historical evolution, its core duties, and its organizational framework.

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What is the U.S. State Department?

The Department of State is the oldest federal executive department in the U.S. government. It was first called the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1781, but its name was changed a few months later to the Department of State to reflect its broader duties with the establishment of the U.S. constitution. In its early days, it managed both foreign affairs and some domestic responsibilities, such as running the U.S. Mint and conducting the national census. These domestic roles were eventually taken over by other agencies around the late 19th century.

The first Secretary of State was Thomas Jefferson, who oversaw a small team and only a handful of diplomatic posts in places like London and Paris. Over time, especially after major conflicts like World War I and World War II, the United States became a global power, and the State Department's responsibilities grew enormously. Its workforce has expanded significantly, from just 1,228 employees in 1900 to about 15,751 federal employees in 2000 as per Office of the Historian.

What are the Key Duties of the U.S. State Department?

The main motive of the State Department is to carry out the President's foreign policy. This involves a wide range of duties that shape America's relationships with other countries. Below are the responsibilities which State Department fulfills:

• Conducting Diplomacy: This is the heart of what the State Department does. Its diplomats engage with foreign governments, international organizations, and people from other countries to discuss issues, build relationships, and find peaceful solutions to global challenges.

• Negotiating Treaties and Agreements: State Department officials lead talks to create international agreements on everything from trade and security to human rights and environmental protection.

• Representing the U.S. Overseas: Through its network of American embassies and consulates in foreign countries, the Department represents U.S. interests, conveys U.S. policies, and works to protect U.S. citizens abroad.

• Protecting U.S. Citizens Abroad: They protect citizens interests including issuing passports, providing emergency assistance, helping with international child custody disputes, and offering guidance to Americans traveling or living overseas through advisories and alerts.

• Coordinating Foreign Aid: The Department plays a vital role in managing and coordinating U.S. foreign assistance programs, including humanitarian aid, development projects, and security assistance aimed at promoting stability and economic growth worldwide.

• Promoting U.S. Interests: This includes advancing trade and commerce interests for U.S. businesses in the global marketplace, reporting on human rights practices in other countries, and working to counter international crime and terrorism.

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What is the Structure and Leadership of the U.S. Department of State?

The structure of the U.S. Department of State is very well organized as it is an executive department of the U.S. federal government. The department is led by the Secretary of State, who is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Secretary is the President's chief foreign policy advisor and a member of the Cabinet. He is often considered as the nation's chief diplomat and representative abroad.

Right below the Secretary of State are Deputy Secretaries and Under Secretaries. Each of these leaders is in charge of different departments or offices that focus on specific topics. These topics can be anything from political matters, money and business, or human rights. They also manage regions like Africa, Europe, or Asia. The Department also runs the U.S. Foreign Service. This is a group of trained diplomats who work for America in embassies and consulates all over the world.

How Much Does the State Department Spend Annually?

While this might seem like a large sum, it's a relatively small portion of the overall federal budget compared to other departments like Defence or Health and Human Services. In Fiscal Year 2024, the State Department spent approximately $38.8 billion. This represented about 0.6% of the total federal spending for that year as per USAFacts. The Department's workforce includes roughly 15,000 federal employees, along with a significant number of locally employed staff at its numerous diplomatic missions globally as per the U.S. Department of State.

The U.S. Department of State stands as a critical pillar of American governance, working continuously to advance national interests, protect its citizens, and foster a more secure and prosperous world through diplomacy.