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Quizzes > History > Regional History

Take the US History Regents Practice Test Now

Dive into this United States History Regents review with essential practice questions

Difficulty: Moderate
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Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
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This US History Regents Practice Test helps you practice exam-style questions and get instant feedback so you can spot gaps before the test. Study at your own pace across topics from the founding era to today, and keep skills fresh with the quick review quiz or try some history trivia for a short break.

Who was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
John Adams
George Washington
Benjamin Franklin
Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and he is recognized as its principal author because of his leading role in presenting it to the Continental Congress. His draft underwent revisions by a committee but retained his core language defining individual rights and government by consent of the governed. This foundational document marked the formal separation of the thirteen colonies from Britain. .
Which document established a system of self-government for the Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony in 1620?
House of Burgesses
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
Articles of Confederation
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was signed by Pilgrim leaders aboard the Mayflower in 1620 and outlined a basic form of self-government based on majority rule. It served as an early, successful attempt at colonial democracy and consent of the governed. The Compact helped maintain order and unity during the settlement's early years. .
Which group supported the ratification of the U.S. Constitution?
Loyalists
Whigs
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Federalists advocated for ratification of the Constitution, arguing that a stronger central government was necessary to maintain order and preserve the Union. They published the Federalist Papers to persuade states to adopt the new framework. Anti-Federalists opposed ratification, fearing centralized power would threaten individual liberties. .
What is the collective name for the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution?
Articles of Confederation
Federalist Papers
Bill of Rights
Declaration of Rights
The first ten amendments to the Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights, adopted in 1791 to guarantee individual liberties such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly. They were added to appease Anti-Federalist concerns about a too-powerful central government. The amendments form a cornerstone of American civil rights. .
What is the primary purpose of the system of checks and balances?
To regulate interstate commerce
To maintain a national bank
To speed up the legislative process
To prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful
Checks and balances divide power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches so that each branch can limit the actions of the others. This prevents tyranny by ensuring no single branch gains unchecked power. It was a key principle in the design of the U.S. Constitution. .
What was the main goal of the Lewis and Clark Expedition?
Explore and map the Louisiana Territory
Establish a southern route to the Pacific
Conquer Spanish territory in the Southwest
Negotiate trade with the Russian Empire
Commissioned by President Jefferson after the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the Lewis and Clark Expedition aimed to explore, map, and establish American presence in the newly acquired territory. They documented geography, plant and animal species, and Native American cultures. Their findings supported future westward expansion. .
Which major land acquisition doubled the size of the United States in 1803?
Gadsden Purchase
Florida Purchase
Oregon Treaty
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 involved the U.S. buying approximately 828,000 square miles of territory from France, effectively doubling the nation's size. President Thomas Jefferson negotiated the deal for $15 million. This acquisition opened vast lands for settlement and exploration. .
What landmark Supreme Court decision established the principle of judicial review?
Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)
Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
Marbury v. Madison (1803) established the Supreme Court's authority to review and nullify congressional and executive actions that conflict with the Constitution. Chief Justice John Marshall's opinion set the precedent for judicial review. This power remains a cornerstone of the U.S. legal system. .
Who was the prominent abolitionist who published the antislavery newspaper The Liberator?
Sojourner Truth
William Lloyd Garrison
Harriet Beecher Stowe
Frederick Douglass
William Lloyd Garrison founded and edited The Liberator beginning in 1831, using strong moral arguments against slavery. His newspaper became one of the most influential abolitionist publications. Garrison's work galvanized the antislavery movement in the North. .
Which event marked the beginning of the American Civil War?
First Battle of Bull Run
Sacking of Lawrence
Battle of Gettysburg
Attack on Fort Sumter
On April 12, 1861, Confederate forces fired on Fort Sumter in South Carolina, marking the official start of the Civil War. The Union garrison surrendered after 34 hours of bombardment. This engagement prompted both North and South to mobilize for a prolonged conflict. .
Which president issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863?
Abraham Lincoln
James Buchanan
Ulysses S. Grant
Andrew Johnson
President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, freeing slaves in Confederate-held territory. While it did not immediately free all enslaved people, it shifted the war aims toward abolition and allowed African Americans to join the Union Army. .
Which constitutional amendment formally abolished slavery in the United States?
15th Amendment
11th Amendment
14th Amendment
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment, ratified in December 1865, abolished slavery and involuntary servitude throughout the United States, except as punishment for a crime. It was a significant legal step following the Civil War to ensure freedom for formerly enslaved people. .
What did the Homestead Act of 1862 provide to settlers?
Subsidized loans for factory construction
160 acres of public land for a small fee
Guaranteed water rights in the West
Free railroad passage westward
The Homestead Act allowed qualified settlers to claim 160 acres of federal land for a nominal fee after five years of residence and cultivation. It encouraged western migration and agricultural development on the Great Plains. Millions of acres were distributed under this law. .
Which president was known for his 'trust-busting' policies against large corporations?
Woodrow Wilson
Herbert Hoover
Theodore Roosevelt
William Howard Taft
Theodore Roosevelt earned the nickname 'trust-buster' for his vigorous enforcement of the Sherman Antitrust Act, breaking up large monopolies like Northern Securities Company. His administration sought to regulate big business and protect consumers. .
Which amendment granted women the right to vote in the United States?
19th Amendment
15th Amendment
18th Amendment
21st Amendment
Ratified in 1920, the 19th Amendment prohibits the United States or any state from denying the right to vote on the basis of sex. It was the culmination of the women's suffrage movement that began in the mid-19th century. .
On what date is American Independence Day celebrated?
April 12, 1861
December 16, 1773
September 17, 1787
July 4, 1776
July 4, 1776, marks the Continental Congress's adoption of the Declaration of Independence, formally declaring the thirteen colonies independent from Britain. It has been celebrated as Independence Day ever since. .
What was the main effect of the Missouri Compromise of 1820?
It granted Missouri statehood as a free state
It ended the international slave trade
It prohibited slavery in all new territories
It maintained the balance between free and slave states
The Missouri Compromise allowed Missouri to enter as a slave state and Maine as a free state, preserving the Senate's balance. It also prohibited slavery north of latitude 36°30? in the Louisiana Purchase territory. This temporary measure postponed sectional conflict. .
What principle was declared in the Monroe Doctrine of 1823?
Latin American nations must pay debts to Spain
European no longer intervene in the Western Hemisphere
U.S. would remain neutral in European wars
All nations could colonize Africa freely
The Monroe Doctrine asserted that the Western Hemisphere was off-limits for future European colonization and that the U.S. would view any interference as a threat to its security. It also pledged that the U.S. would not meddle in European affairs. This policy shaped American foreign relations. .
Which education reformer is known as the 'Father of American Public Schools'?
Benjamin Rush
Horace Mann
John Dewey
William McGuffey
Horace Mann, Massachusetts Secretary of Education in the 1830s and 1840s, advocated for universal, nonsectarian, free public schooling and professional teacher training. He standardized curricula and improved school infrastructure. His work laid the foundation for the American public school system. .
What territorial dispute led to the Mexican-American War (1846 - 1848)?
Annexation of Texas by the United States
U.S. purchase of California
Oregon boundary dispute
Gadsden Purchase
The United States annexed Texas in 1845 after its independence from Mexico, which Mexico did not recognize. Disputes over the Texas border (Rio Grande vs. Nueces River) and U.S. expansionist desires led to war. The conflict ended with U.S. victory and significant western land gains. .
What was a major goal of the Populist Party in the late 19th century?
Government regulation of railroads
Gold standard monetary policy
Restrictions on immigration
Immediate abolition of slavery
The Populist Party, formed by agrarian interests in the early 1890s, sought to curb corporate power by regulating railroad rates and grain elevator fees. They also advocated for the free coinage of silver, direct election of senators, and other reforms to help farmers and laborers. .
Which ideology applied Darwin's theories to justify economic competition and social hierarchy?
Progressivism
Marxism
Utopian socialism
Social Darwinism
Social Darwinism, popular in the late 19th century, argued that competition and 'survival of the fittest' applied to business and society. It was used to justify laissez-faire capitalism and oppose welfare programs. Critics later challenged its moral and scientific basis. .
What change did the 17th Amendment (1913) bring to the U.S. Senate?
Provision for presidential appointment of senators
Limitation of senators' terms to four years
Direct election of senators by the people
Requirement that senators be at least 35 years old
The 17th Amendment established that U.S. senators would be elected directly by voters rather than chosen by state legislatures. This reform aimed to reduce corruption and increase democratic accountability. .
What did Theodore Roosevelt's 'Big Stick' policy emphasize?
Using military power to achieve foreign policy goals
Limiting naval expansion
Free trade agreements with Europe
Isolationism and non-intervention
The 'Big Stick' policy, summarized by Roosevelt's phrase 'speak softly and carry a big stick,' meant the U.S. would negotiate peacefully but maintain a strong military readiness to enforce its interests. It was evident in interventions in Latin America and construction of the Panama Canal. .
Which event prompted the United States to enter World War I in 1917?
Battle of Verdun
Russian Revolution
Sinking of the Lusitania alone
Disclosure of the Zimmerman Telegram
While unrestricted submarine warfare and the Lusitania sinking played roles, the revelation of the Zimmerman Telegram - in which Germany proposed a military alliance with Mexico against the U.S. - pushed American public opinion toward war. President Wilson asked Congress to declare war in April 1917. .
What was the primary mission of the NAACP when it was founded in 1909?
Promote segregation under 'separate but equal'
Organize labor unions in the South
Ensure political, educational, and economic equality for African Americans
Establish an all-Black state
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded in 1909 to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure civil rights for African Americans. It used legal challenges, public education, and advocacy to fight segregation and disenfranchisement. .
Which program, part of FDR's New Deal, created a system of old-age benefits and unemployment insurance?
Tennessee Valley Authority
Civilian Conservation Corps
Social Security Act
Works Progress Administration
The Social Security Act of 1935 introduced federal old-age pensions, unemployment insurance, and aid to disabled individuals and families with dependent children. It fundamentally shaped the U.S. welfare state and remains in effect today. .
Which president introduced the New Deal to combat the Great Depression?
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Herbert Hoover
Harry S. Truman
Franklin D. Roosevelt took office in 1933 and launched the New Deal, a series of programs, public work projects, and financial reforms aimed at economic recovery. It expanded the federal government's role in social welfare and regulation. .
What benefit did veterans receive under the GI Bill of Rights (1944)?
Low-cost mortgages and tuition assistance
Guaranteed federal employment
Cash bonuses for overseas service
Free healthcare for life
The GI Bill provided returning World War II veterans with benefits including low-cost home loans, tuition and living stipends for education, and unemployment compensation. It facilitated suburban growth and expanded the educated workforce. .
Which post - World War II plan aimed to rebuild European economies?
Monroe Doctrine
Truman Doctrine
Marshall Plan
Good Neighbor Policy
The European Recovery Program, known as the Marshall Plan (1948), provided over $12 billion in U.S. aid to help rebuild Western European economies after WWII. It aimed to prevent economic collapse and the spread of communism. .
What landmark Supreme Court case in 1954 ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional?
Plessy v. Ferguson
Dred Scott v. Sandford
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
Brown v. Board of Education
In Brown v. Board of Education (1954), the Supreme Court unanimously held that 'separate but equal' has no place in public education, violating the Equal Protection Clause. This decision overturned Plessy v. Ferguson in the context of schools and spurred the civil rights movement. .
What was the significance of Tammany Hall in 19th-century New York politics?
It was a major abolitionist headquarters
It was the site of early women's suffrage meetings
It was where the Erie Canal was planned
It was a powerful political machine that controlled local elections
Tammany Hall was a Democratic Party political machine in New York City that used patronage and graft to control elections and municipal appointments. Its influence peaked in the late 19th and early 20th centuries under leaders like Boss Tweed. It played a significant role in integrating immigrants into urban politics. .
What was one major consequence of Prohibition (1920 - 1933)?
Elimination of alcohol consumption nationwide
Expansion of Native American reservations
Rise in organized crime and bootlegging
Dramatic decrease in urban population
Prohibition led to the growth of illegal operations run by organized crime figures who supplied alcohol through bootlegging and speakeasies. Federal enforcement was underfunded and easily circumvented. The policy was repealed in 1933 by the 21st Amendment. .
Which Supreme Court decision established the doctrine of 'separate but equal'?
Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
Lochner v. New York (1905)
Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
Worcester v. Georgia (1832)
In Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), the Supreme Court upheld racial segregation under the 'separate but equal' doctrine, legitimizing Jim Crow laws. This decision remained in effect until it was overturned in public education by Brown v. Board of Education in 1954. .
What was the primary objective of the Marshall Plan?
Fund the U.S. Interstate Highway System
Establish the United Nations
Contain communism in Asia
Rebuild and stabilize Western European economies after WWII
The Marshall Plan (European Recovery Program) provided U.S. financial aid to Western European nations to rebuild infrastructure, stabilize economies, and prevent the spread of communism. It distributed over $12 billion from 1948 to 1952. .
What was the main target of Senator Joseph McCarthy in the early 1950s?
Japanese-Americans interned during WWII
Anti-war protesters
Proponents of civil rights equality
Alleged communists in the U.S. government and society
Joseph McCarthy led a campaign alleging that communists had infiltrated the U.S. government, military, and other institutions, using aggressive investigations and hearings. His tactics, known as McCarthyism, led to ruined careers and widespread fear before his censure in 1954. .
What was the significance of the Interstate Highway Act of 1956?
It nationalized the railroad system
It created the first U.S. passenger airline
It established federal fuel efficiency standards
It funded the construction of a national highway network
The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 allocated $25 billion to build over 41,000 miles of interstate highways, transforming American transportation, fostering suburban growth, and promoting commerce. President Eisenhower championed it as a defense and economic measure. .
Which set of programs launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson aimed to reduce poverty and racial injustice?
New Frontier
Square Deal
Great Society
Fair Deal
Johnson's Great Society, introduced in the mid-1960s, encompassed initiatives like Medicare, Medicaid, education funding, and civil rights legislation to eliminate poverty and enhance social welfare. It built on earlier New Deal and War on Poverty programs. .
What was the key decision in Roe v. Wade (1973)?
Prohibition of interracial marriage
Ban on all forms of contraception
Requirement for parental consent for marriage
Legalization of abortion nationwide under certain protections
In Roe v. Wade (1973), the Supreme Court ruled that women have a constitutional right to choose an abortion without excessive government restriction, balancing that right against the state's interests in maternal health and fetal life. This decision shaped abortion law until it was overturned in 2022. .
Which conflict arose when Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990?
Suez Crisis
Persian Gulf War
Iraq - Iran War
Operation Desert Shield
Iraq's August 1990 invasion of Kuwait led to Operation Desert Shield and the Persian Gulf War in early 1991, when a U.S.-led coalition liberated Kuwait. The conflict demonstrated modern warfare technologies and shaped Middle East policy. .
What was one major effect of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) enacted in 1994?
Introduction of a single North American currency
Establishment of the World Trade Organization
Reduction of trade barriers among the U.S., Canada, and Mexico
Creation of a European single market
NAFTA eliminated most tariffs and trade barriers on products traded among the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, increasing regional trade and economic integration. Critics cite job displacement and wage pressures, while supporters highlight export growth. .
Which law prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, public accommodations, and more?
Rehabilitation Act
Civil Rights Act
Fair Housing Act
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 bars discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodations, and telecommunications. It requires reasonable accommodations and accessibility standards. .
What was the significance of the 26th Amendment (1971)?
Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18
Granted presidential succession rights
Prohibited poll taxes
Extended voting rights to Washington D.C.
Ratified during the Vietnam War era, the 26th Amendment lowered the U.S. voting age from 21 to 18, acknowledging that citizens old enough to be drafted for military service should have the right to vote. It was the fastest amendment ratification in history. .
Which factor contributed most directly to the U.S. housing crisis of 2008?
Collapse of subprime mortgage lending practices
Introduction of adjustable-rate student loans
Federal ban on foreclosures
Massive government property purchases
Widespread issuance of subprime mortgages to borrowers with poor credit, combined with predatory lending and securitization of risky loans, led to high default rates. The collapse of these mortgage-backed securities triggered the 2008 financial crisis. .
What did the Dodd - Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 aim to do?
Prohibit all derivatives trading
Increase financial regulation to prevent another crisis
Eliminate the Federal Reserve
Nationalize major banks
The Dodd - Frank Act strengthened regulation of financial institutions, created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and imposed stricter capital and risk-management standards on banks to reduce the chance of another financial meltdown. .
What was the Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. FEC (2010)?
Individuals cannot donate to Super PACs
Direct corporate contributions to candidates are allowed
All campaign finance laws are unconstitutional
Corporations and unions can make unlimited independent political expenditures
In Citizens United v. FEC, the Supreme Court held that corporate funding of independent political broadcasts in candidate elections cannot be limited under the First Amendment. The decision led to the rise of Super PACs. .
What was a central requirement of the Affordable Care Act (2010)?
All private insurance was abolished
State governments took over hospitals
Medicare was extended to all ages
Most Americans must obtain health insurance or pay a penalty
The Affordable Care Act included an individual mandate requiring most Americans to have health insurance or pay a penalty (later repealed federally), established health insurance exchanges, and expanded Medicaid in participating states. It aimed to reduce uninsured rates and healthcare costs. .
What doctrine was reinforced by the Supreme Court's decision in United States v. Nixon (1974)?
No person, not even the president, is above the law
Congress cannot investigate the executive branch
Presidential appointment powers are unchecked
Presidential immunity from criminal charges
United States v. Nixon limited executive privilege by requiring President Nixon to turn over taped conversations during the Watergate scandal. The Court held that the president is not above the law and must comply with judicial subpoenas. .
What was the significance of United States v. Lopez (1995) in terms of Congressional power?
It expanded the Necessary and Proper Clause
It gave Congress exclusive power over drug policy
It limited Congress's commerce clause authority
It upheld federal authority to regulate all school zones
United States v. Lopez was the first case in decades where the Supreme Court held that Congress had exceeded its authority under the Commerce Clause by banning guns in school zones. It marked a shift toward reining in federal power. .
Which economic policies are most associated with President Ronald Reagan's administration?
Strict price controls
Increased progressive taxation
Supply-side tax cuts and deregulation
Nationalization of industries
Reaganomics refers to President Reagan's economic approach featuring substantial tax cuts, reduced government spending on domestic programs, deregulation of industries, and tight monetary policy to control inflation. Supporters credit it for economic growth; critics cite increased deficits. .
What key restriction does the War Powers Resolution of 1973 place on the president?
Declare war without congressional approval
Notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops abroad
Suspend habeas corpus in wartime
Appoint generals without Senate confirmation
The War Powers Resolution requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action and restricts engagement to 60 days without congressional authorization or declaration of war. It aims to balance executive action with legislative oversight. .
What was the Supreme Court's ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)?
States can ban same-sex marriage
Marriage is only a state matter
Same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry
Civil unions are constitutionally required
In Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court held that the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees same-sex couples the right to marry and requires all states to recognize those marriages from other jurisdictions. This decision legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Master Key Concepts -

    Understand major events, people, and themes from US history to prepare effectively for the US History Regents Test.

  2. Practice Authentic Questions -

    Apply your knowledge by working through real Regents exam questions that mirror the format and difficulty of the official test.

  3. Identify Strengths and Weaknesses -

    Analyze your quiz results to pinpoint areas where you excel and topics that require further review.

  4. Interpret Primary Sources -

    Develop skills in reading and analyzing historical documents, maps, charts, and political cartoons commonly found on the Regents exam.

  5. Boost Exam Confidence -

    Gain instant feedback and detailed explanations to reinforce learning and build confidence before test day.

Cheat Sheet

  1. The U.S. Constitution & Federalism -

    Mastering Articles I - III and the Supremacy Clause is essential for the us history regents test, as these define legislative, executive, and judicial powers and federal-state relations. Use a mnemonic like "SCORe" (Supremacy, Checks, Oath, Reserved powers) to remember key clauses and the 10th Amendment's role in reserving powers.

  2. Civil War Causes & Reconstruction Policies -

    Understanding the Missouri Compromise (1820) and the Dred Scott decision (1857) clarifies sectional tensions over slavery leading into the Civil War. Recall postwar Reconstruction plans - Lincoln's 10% plan, Johnson's pardon policy, and Radical Republicans' stricter approach - by the mnemonic "10-J-R." Consult National Archives primary sources for authentic us history regents questions on this topic.

  3. Gilded Age Industrialization & Labor Movements -

    The Gilded Age saw rapid industrial growth, often led by so-called "robber barons" like Carnegie and Rockefeller, which prompted labor movements such as the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor. The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 broke up monopolies - remember "Sherman Saws Structures" as a quirky way to recall its purpose. Use university labor history digital archives when you do your united states history regents review to find primary accounts.

  4. Progressive Era Reforms & Amendments -

    Progressive reforms tackled issues from trust-busting to women's suffrage, culminating in the 16th - 19th Amendments. A handy mnemonic is "Financial Freedom, Direct Votes, Temperance, Suffrage" to remember the 16th (income tax), 17th (direct election of senators), 18th (Prohibition), and 19th (women's vote). For your us history regents practice test, study muckrakers like Upton Sinclair and Ida Tarbell via reputable university presses and the Library of Congress.

  5. U.S. Foreign Policy: World Wars to the Cold War -

    From the Monroe Doctrine (1823) establishing U.S. hemispheric hegemony to the Containment policy during the Cold War, understanding shifts in foreign policy is vital. Memorize Wilson's Fourteen Points and FDR's Lend-Lease with the acronym "WFL" (Wilson, Franklin, Lend-Lease) to track America's WWI and WWII stances. Official documents on the U.S. State Department website are golden sources for authentic us history regents practice questions.

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