Secretary of Defense By Erica Grasley

Starting History In the early years of the United States Government, a decision was made that there was a need of a man to be in charge of the controlling the nation’s military services that would be called the Secretary of War, his name was Henry Knox. The job was to be taken by an elected official. This job would not only be in charge of controlling the Army, it would also include Navy, and after the application of flight to the strategies of war, the Air Force. The first Secretary of War was Henry Knox, who was appointed to the job by George Washington himself, to continue the role after Washington’s inauguration.

Great White Fleet In 1890 President Theodore Roosevelt sent out a fleet of navy ships on a voyage around the world as a way to show off how powerful the United States had become. He did this in hopes for more treaties and protection for overseas territories. The fleet was made of ninety navy ships that had the hull of each ship painted white which gave them the name “Great White Fleet”. This action was carried out by the navy which is a section under the Department of Defense.

Roosevelt Corollary In 1904 Roosevelt included in the State of the Union Address that the United States would interfere in conflicts between European countries and Latin America with the military. This was called the Roosevelt Corollary, which was an added statement to the Monroe Doctrine. This would protect Latin America from Europe’s claims to the country’s territories.

Military in Hawaii In the 1840’s Americans began to establish sugar plantations in Hawaii. These plantations were very profitable and helped to pay off the Civil War debt. However a raise in import rates began to undersell sugar growers, and soon depression spread across the islands. Hawaii’s queen at the time was Queen Liliukalani; she believed that it was her duty to rid Hawaii of foreign interference. This threatened the sugar plantations, so the American farmers started an uprising against the queen. The American President at the time was Grover Cleveland, who disagreed with the actions of the plantation owners, so he agreed that the queen should continue her reign and rule over Hawaii.

Later History At first the Secretary of War was in charge of the Navy and the Army, but that was changed when the Secretary of the Navy was introduced in This handed over the job of Navy controller so the Secretary of War’s job was lightened. From 1886 onward the Secretary of War was third in line of secession of the Presidency. But in the passing of the National Security Act of 1947, the Secretary was replaced by the Secretary of Army and the Secretary of Air force. But from there had been fifty-six Secretaries of War, or in latter years renamed to be the Secretary of Defense, which served and helped protect the country.

Closing The Department of Defense is one of the largest decision makers of the United States concerning the nation’s protection. The job of Secretary of Defense is a large honor to possess, and the history of the job is very complicated and interesting. The biggest fact about the Department of Defense is that it is what our country is all about, protecting and serving our country and our God for a good cause.

Sources: Military in Hawaii: Secretary of War, Warhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Secretary_of_ War Great White Fleet, Roosevelt Corollary, World Book, Volume 21, War Department, Page 26