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U.S. Department of State
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U.S. Department of State

United States government
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Also known as: State Department
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Last Updated: • Article History
Quick Facts
Also called:
State Department
Date:
1789 - present
Areas Of Involvement:
What Does the Secretary of State Do?
foreign policy
Related People:
Alger Hiss
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U.S. Department of State, executive division of the U.S. federal government responsible for carrying out U.S. foreign policy. Established in 1789, it is the oldest of the federal departments and the president’s principal means of conducting treaty negotiations and forging agreements with foreign countries. Under its administration are the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, the Foreign Service Institute, and various offices of diplomatic security, foreign intelligence, policy analysis, international narcotics control, protocol, and passport services.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Maren Goldberg.