c) Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson, a Founding Father of the United States, was the nation’s first Secretary of State, serving from 1790 to 1793 under President George Washington. In this role, Jefferson played a crucial part in shaping the foreign policy of the young republic. He advocated for a foreign policy based on democratic principles and sought to establish strong diplomatic relations while maintaining U.S. neutrality in European conflicts. Jefferson’s tenure as Secretary of State set important precedents for the conduct of U.S. foreign policy and was instrumental in establishing the framework for diplomatic engagement and international relations for the United States.