Regents Exam in U.S. History and Government - Jan 2025

Regents Exam

Standardized test for New York high school students.

Fundamental Orders

First written constitution in America, 1638.

General Assemblies

Yearly meetings to elect public officers.

Court of Election

Assembly for electing the Governor and officials.

Oath of Fidelity

Pledge of loyalty required for freemen.

Magistrates

Elected officials responsible for administering justice.

Representative Government

System where officials are elected to represent citizens.

Maryland Toleration Act

1649 law granting religious freedom in Maryland.

Virginia House of Burgesses

First elected legislative assembly in America.

Proclamation of 1763

British law limiting colonial expansion westward.

Stamp Act

Tax on printed materials in the colonies.

Essay Booklet

Document for writing answers to essay questions.

Part I

Section with 28 multiple-choice questions.

Part II

Section with two short-essay questions.

Part III

Section based on provided documents.

Part III A

Includes documents followed by related questions.

Part III B

Contains one essay question based on documents.

Declaration Signature

Required to confirm no prior knowledge of exam.

Answer Sheet

Form for recording answers to multiple-choice questions.

Proctor Instructions

Guidelines provided by the exam supervisor.

Black or Dark-Blue Ink

Required ink color for written answers.

Invalidated Exam

Exam voided due to rule violations.

Freemen

Individuals granted rights to vote and hold office.

Governor

Chief executive officer elected annually.

Justice Administration

Process of enforcing laws and resolving disputes.

Colonial Development

Progress in governance and law in early America.

Majority Rule

Decision-making principle based on majority vote.

Inhabitants

Residents admitted to a jurisdiction.

Yearly Elections

Regular selection of officials every twelve months.

Proclamation of Neutrality

Washington's 1793 declaration to avoid foreign conflicts.

Belligerent Powers

Nations engaged in conflict or war.

Monroe Doctrine

1823 policy opposing European colonialism in Americas.

McCulloch v. Maryland

1819 Supreme Court case on federal power.

Federal Supremacy

Federal laws take precedence over state laws.

Louisiana Purchase

1803 acquisition of territory from France.

Constitutional Supremacy

Constitution is the highest law of the land.

National Bank

Federal institution established to manage currency.

Thomas Jefferson

Third U.S. President, key figure in Louisiana Purchase.

Ratification

Formal approval of treaties or amendments.

Constitutional Amendment

Change or addition to the Constitution.

Taxation Power

Authority to impose taxes, limited by Constitution.

Foreign Territory

Land outside the U.S. controlled by it.

Caribbean Trade Control

Influence over trade routes in the Caribbean.

Supreme Court Review

Judicial power to evaluate laws and treaties.

Presidential Approval

Necessary consent from the President for treaties.

Bicameral Legislature

Two-house legislative system established by Constitution.

State Power Limitations

States cannot interfere with federal government operations.

Constitutional Authorization

Legal permission granted by the Constitution.

Impartial Conduct

Neutral behavior towards conflicting parties.

Tax Imposition

Legislative action to levy taxes on entities.

Unconstitutional Law

Law that violates the Constitution's principles.

Expansion of Territory

Increase in land controlled by a nation.

Economic Growth

Increase in a nation's production and consumption.

Control of Mississippi River

Strategic access to vital trade routes.

Appeal to Nation

Request for public support on constitutional matters.

Functions of Congress

Responsibilities of legislative branch in governance.

Incorporation of Nations

Process of integrating foreign states into the U.S.

Union

The United States as a unified nation.

Emancipation Proclamation

1863 order freeing slaves in Confederate states.

Homestead Act

1862 law granting land to settlers.

Pacific Railway Act

1862 law promoting transcontinental railroad construction.

Sherman Antitrust Act

1890 law aimed at curbing monopolies.

Trusts

Large business entities controlling market prices.

Teddy Roosevelt

26th President known for trust-busting policies.

Immigration

Movement of people into a country.

Foreign-Born Whites

Individuals born outside the U.S. of European descent.

Overcrowded Cities

Urban areas with excessive population density.

Legislation

Laws enacted by a governing body.

Northeastern Cities

Urban centers in the northeastern United States.

Rail Transportation

Movement of goods via trains.

Agriculture

Farming as a primary occupation.

Deportation Programs

Policies for removing immigrants from a country.

Federal Housing Assistance

Government support for housing in cities.

Colored Race

Term historically used for African Americans.

National Authority

Government's power to enforce laws.

Civil War

Conflict from 1861 to 1865 over Union preservation.

Abolitionists

Individuals advocating for the end of slavery.

Slavery

System of forced labor and ownership of humans.

Trust-Busting

Government actions to break up monopolies.

Social Studies

Field studying human society and relationships.

Cultural Refuge

Safe haven for immigrant communities.

Economic Growth

Increase in the production of goods and services.

Immigrant Families

Households composed of foreign-born individuals.

Historical Significance

Importance of events in shaping history.

Union as it was

Restoration of pre-Civil War national unity.

Theodore Roosevelt

26th President advocating U.S. global expansion.

Second Annual Message

Roosevelt's 1902 address to Congress.

Woe or Weal

Concept of poverty versus prosperity.

Panama Canal

Key U.S. construction project enhancing trade routes.

Permanent Military

Roosevelt's support for a standing U.S. army.

Isolationism

Traditional U.S. foreign policy of non-involvement.

Social Security Act

1935 law providing unemployment and old-age benefits.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

32nd President focused on economic recovery.

Economic Structure

Framework intended to stabilize U.S. economy.

Unemployment Compensation

Financial support for jobless individuals.

Old-Age Pensions

Regular payments to retired citizens.

Child Protection Services

Support for children's welfare and health.

Depressions

Economic downturns requiring government intervention.

Inflation

Increase in prices reducing purchasing power.

Rationing System

Government control of resource distribution during wartime.