US History & Government Regents Reference Table & Formulas
The key US History & Government formulas, concepts, and vocabulary to know for the exam.
US History & Government doesn't have a reference table. The exam tests source analysis and content directly, the constructed-response questions (CRQ) and Civic Literacy Essay are the main events. Build a strong time-period skeleton and learn the rubric.
Key concepts
- Constitutional principles — Separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism divide authority so no branch or level dominates. The Bill of Rights protects individual freedoms.
- Civil War & Reconstruction — Disputes over slavery and states' rights led to secession and war; the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments ended slavery and extended citizenship and voting.
- Industrialization & Progressivism — Rapid industry and immigration transformed cities; Progressive reformers pushed labor laws, trust-busting, and consumer protection.
- The US on the world stage — From WWI and WWII to the Cold War, the US moved from isolation to global superpower with policies like containment and the Marshall Plan.
- Civil Rights Movement — Brown v. Board (1954), nonviolent protest, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965 dismantled legal segregation.
- How government works — Three branches, the amendment process, and the expansion of voting rights over time are recurring exam themes.
Must-know vocabulary
- Federalism — Power shared between the national government and the states.
- Checks and balances — Each branch can limit the others (veto, judicial review, impeachment).
- Suffrage — The right to vote, extended over time by the 15th, 19th, and 26th Amendments.
- Manifest Destiny — The 1800s belief that the US was destined to expand across the continent.
- New Deal — FDR's 1930s programs to fight the Great Depression through relief, recovery, and reform.
- Containment — The Cold War strategy of stopping the spread of communism.
Frequently asked questions
Does the US History & Government Regents give you a reference sheet?
US History & Government doesn't have a reference table. The exam tests source analysis and content directly, the constructed-response questions (CRQ) and Civic Literacy Essay are the main events. Build a strong time-period skeleton and learn the rubric.
What formulas do you need for the US History & Government Regents?
The most-used US History & Government formulas are on this page with what each one is for.