Cabinet Building
iCivics Lesson
Lesson Objectives:
How much authority do you think the president should have?
Pick between these two positions, and explain your choice to a partner:
Today, you’ll learn about the president’s cabinet! Read this document (pages 1-4), then return to the slides for follow-up activities.
Reading Questions
Complete these as a class on present mode. Or individually as assigned by your teacher.
1. Constitutional Origins
Which clause of the Constitution describes the Founders’ compromise to create a cabinet for the president?
Answer: The Opinion Clause
The President...may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices…
Article II, Section 2, Clause 1
2. Washington’s First Advisors
George Washington had four advisors who helped him address foreign policy, finance, war, and law. Match each advisor to the correct position.
Alexander Hamilton
Secretary of the Treasury
Edmund Randolph
Thomas Jefferson
Henry Knox
Secretary of State
Secretary of War
Attorney General
3. A Cabinet is Born
Fill in the blanks.
Since the first full cabinet meeting in ________, �the cabinet has grown from ________ members �to ______________ members.
This image shows James K. Polk and his cabinet �in 1846. It’s the first cabinet to be photographed.
1793
four
sixteen
Follow-up Activities
Exit out of present mode to fill in your answers.
4. Follow the Flow
Check out these two flow charts that show the process of becoming a cabinet member. Each one has an important part missing. Name that part, and explain to a partner what might be at risk if it were skipped in the real process.
What’s missing?
What’s missing?
Exit present mode to write your answers.
4. Nomination Drama
Nomination hearings bring a special brand of dramatics to Capitol Hill. Take on the role of Senator for these questions. Exit present mode to write your answer.
1. You are a member of the same party as the president and support the nominee. What might convince you to withdraw your support from a nominee during the process?
4. Nomination Drama
2. You are a member of the opposition party and do NOT support the nominee. What might convince you to change your mind and support the nominee?
Nomination hearings bring a special brand of dramatics to Capitol Hill. Take on the role of Senator for these questions. Exit present mode to write your answer.
4. Nomination Drama
3. You are a member of the opposition party and do NOT support the president’s recess appointment. How will you respond to media inquiries about the appointment?
Nomination hearings bring a special brand of dramatics to Capitol Hill. Take on the role of Senator for these questions. Exit present mode to write your answer.
5. Cabinet Contents
Use the information from the list of departments on page 4 of the reading to help with these questions. Exit present mode to write your answers.
1. Which century saw the most growth of the cabinet? How many departments were created?
2. Which department do you think has the most impact on your day to day life? Why?
5. Cabinet Contents
Use the information from the list of departments on page 4 of the reading to help with these questions. Exit present mode to write your answers.
Select one cabinet position, then list at least two qualifications you think a nominee should have if appointed.
Position:
Qualification 1:
Qualification 2:
6. It Matters to You!
The presidential cabinet can affect you in three main ways. Select one way discussed in the lesson that is most important to YOU. Drag the red circle to the right of the slide over the letter for your answer.
Exit present mode to answer.
6. It Matters to You!
Explain why your choice on the previous slide would have the most impact on YOU. Your response should be 4-6 sentences in length.
Exit present mode to answer.
7. Tracking the New Cabinet
Now that you know the purpose and process of selecting a presidential cabinet, it’s time to find out who will be sitting at the next administration’s table. Use the chart linked below to track nominations and appointments, as well as any additional information about the nominee’s qualifications and missteps. The departments themselves may undergo change too. Find the chart here.
8. On New Nominations
Discuss with a partner:
8. On New Nominations
President-elect Joe Biden has pledged to appoint “the most diverse cabinet in history”—one that “looks like America.”
At this point, to what extent do you think President-elect Biden has met that promise? Consider: what are some different ways to define and measure diversity? Discuss with a partner.
2020
Now that you’ve completed the lesson, reflect �with partners: