Government Agencies

State Department 1789 French Revolution caused us to think about having an agency that deals with other countries Secretary of State is in charge of the State Department HANDLES FOREIGN AFFAIRS WITH OTHER COUNTRIRES Today they help other US citizens outside the country

Department of Treasury Created in 1789 MANAGE GOVERNMENT REVENUE (money) Secretary of the treasury is in charge They actually lost responsibilities over time as many duties over time were put into smaller agencies Give info to other branches about money

Department of Defense 1789 – was the War Department 1947 duties grown MANAGES ALL OF THE BRANCHES OF MILITARY Secretary of Defense is the person in charge

Department of Justice Created in 1870 ENFORCES LAWS – MAKES SURE THEY ARE FOLLOWED Attorney General is in charge More crime = more responsibilities over time! Protects the Constitution

Homeland Security Created in 2002 after attack on 9/11 NATIONAL PROTECTION - PREPARE FOR TERRORIST ATTACKS Also polices the borders Tries to stop illegal immigration Chief of staff is in charge

CIA – Central Intelligence Agency Created 1946 Director of the CIA USES TECHNOLOGY AND SPYING TO GET INFO ON TERRORISM AND FOREIGN THREATS Passes on the info for the President and Congress to make decisions.

FDA – Food and Drug Administration Created in 1906 Public health agency Medication and food products Inspects factories OVERSEES PRODUCTION OF FOOD AND MEDICINE TO MAKE SURE THEY’RE SAFE

FTC – Federal Trade Commission Created in 1914 Think about Rockefeller and Standard Oil PREVENTS UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES AND REGULATES BUSINESSES

IRS – Internal Revenue Service Created in 1953 by the Department of Treasury Started to say only Congress can tax people You HAVE to pay taxes as a citizen! They will find you! MAKES SURE PEOPLE PAY INCOME TAXES AND THEY ARE COLLECTED “FAIRLY”

Federal Reserve System Created in 1913 Makes sure the bank crash and Great Depression doesn’t happen again! MAKES SURE BANKS FOLLOW RULES One banking system to control the others Also controls interest rates for credit cards and home mortgages

EPA – Environmental Protection Agency Created 1970 Person in charge is the administrator PROTECTS THE ENVIRONMENT AND CONTROLS POLLUTION Makes sure laws that are passed don’t harm the environment

FCC – Federal Communication Commission Created in 1936 Radio, TV and phone industry – including satellite and cable CREATES RULES TO STOP “BAD” THINGS FROM BEING ON TV, RADIO AND PHONES Interstate communications

CDC – Center for Disease Control Created in 1946 Originally created to fight malaria RESEARCHES AND INFORMS PUBLIC ABOUT COMMUNICABLE DISEASES