Transcript Timeline: Federal Bureaucracy in the United States




Department of Foreign Affairs (Department
of State) first federal agency created under
Constitution. First “bureaucracy”.
Washington appointed four people to advise
him as President, became first cabinet.
Article II, Section 3 of Constitution:
President responsible to appoint public
officials, ambassadors, judges, and “all
other officers” of United States. Between
1789 and 1829, members of bureaucracy
drawn from upper middle class /white male
elite.


President Andrew Jackson used the
spoils (patronage) system to fill
federal vacancies which rewarded
party loyalists with important federal
posts.
One benefit of the spoils system was
that it assured full turnover in
federal offices.

With the spoils system coming under
fire (because it allowed people with
no knowledge and background to
work in federal positions) and after
the assassination of President
Garfield by a disappointed office
seeker, Congress passes the
Pendleton Act.



The Pendleton Act created U.S. Civil
Service Commission, placing most federal
government employees on the merit
system (abolished the spoils system).
Required applicants to take civil service
exam to be given certain jobs; prevented
elected officials and political appointees
from firing civil servants, removing civil
servants from influences of political
patronage and partisan behavior.
Only 10% of all federal appointees initially
made subject to process of selection by
examination.


By the turn of the century, the Presidential
cabinet had grown from four to eight
positions.
Up to this point: Department of State,
Treasury, War (Defense), and Justice
(1789); Interior (1849); Agriculture
(1862); Commerce and Labor (1903) –
divided into two separate departments in
1913.


The Great Depression and FDR’s New Deal
established numerous agencies and
programs (over 15) which required
government oversight (at both the local,
state, and federal levels).
Agencies and programs designed to get
people back to work and the country of the
Depression.



Hatch Act restricted ability of federal
employees to participate in partisan
political activities.
The goal: Prohibited federal employees
from membership in "any political
organization which advocates the
overthrow of constitutional form of
government."
Many believed restrictions infringed on
Constitutional rights of federal employees.
Later amended in 1993 (see handout/flyer).



After World War II, Department of Defense
created (1947) to serve as national military
establishment under a single secretary.
Secretary preside over former Department
of War (1789) and Department of the Navy
(1798; formerly the Board of Admiralty
(1780).
The Department of the Air Force also
created as new service (had been part of
the War Department as the United States
Army Air Force), and made part of Defense
Department.


The Cold War increases the size of
the defense department and
associated agencies.
All branches of armed forces grow
significantly. The Department of
Veteran Affairs (created in 1930s)
also expands.



U.S. Civil Service Commission renamed
“Office of Personnel Management”.
The OPM manages civil service for the
government. OPM administers civil
service laws, rules, and regulations.
Administers written examinations for
competitive service, responsible for
hiring for most government agencies.



The 9/11 terrorist attacks led to 15th
cabinet department.
Homeland Security Act of 2002 established
the Department of Homeland Security in
November 2002. Intended to consolidate
U.S. executive branch organizations related
to "homeland security" into single Cabinet
agency.
22 agencies incorporated into new
department including the Secret Service,
Coast Guard, and U.S. Border Patrol.




Overhaul of U.S. intelligence system:
Intelligence Reform & Terrorism Prevention
Act.
Established: Director of National
Intelligence (DNI), National
Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), and
Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board.
15 intelligence agencies placed under
control of intelligence director, including
the CIA and FBI.
Rearranged many cabinet departments and
operation of many independent agencies.




response to public wishes and desiresproduct recall, increase safety measures,
etc…
national crisis- Great Depression, wars,
terrorist attacks, pandemics
subdivision of departments- government
decides to reorganize/restructure
more state and local programs- boards,
commissions, agencies created at federal
level often require states to meet
requirements. Issue of Federalism.