Northwest Ordinance

Definition

The Northwest Ordinance was a landmark piece of legislation passed by the Congress of the Confederation in 1787 that established a framework for governing the Northwest Territory, which included land that would become states like Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. This ordinance set important precedents for the admission of new states to the Union and outlined a method for surveying and selling public lands, as well as establishing a bill of rights for settlers. It was one of the first successful achievements under the Articles of Confederation, demonstrating an organized approach to westward expansion.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Northwest Ordinance created five new territories and outlined the process by which these territories could eventually apply for statehood.
2. It included provisions for religious freedom, the right to a jury trial, and the prohibition of slavery in the Northwest Territory.
3. The ordinance set aside land for public education, emphasizing the importance of education in the new territories.
4. The framework established by the Northwest Ordinance served as a model for future territorial governance in the United States.
5. The successful implementation of the Northwest Ordinance helped to stabilize the new nation by providing an orderly method for expansion into western lands.

Review Questions

• How did the Northwest Ordinance influence the process of westward expansion in the United States?
  • The Northwest Ordinance significantly shaped westward expansion by providing a clear framework for how territories could be organized and eventually become states. By establishing guidelines for governance, land sales, and civil rights, it encouraged settlement in the Northwest Territory. This orderly approach helped facilitate migration and settlement while ensuring that new states could be integrated into the Union with defined rights and structures.
• What were some key provisions included in the Northwest Ordinance that impacted future territorial laws?
  • The Northwest Ordinance included several key provisions that set important precedents for future laws governing U.S. territories. It established guidelines for civil liberties such as religious freedom and the right to a jury trial, which would later be included in state constitutions. Additionally, it prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territory, setting a significant boundary in American law regarding human rights that influenced future debates over slavery in newly formed states.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of the Northwest Ordinance on American society and governance during its westward expansion.
  • The Northwest Ordinance had lasting impacts on American society and governance by laying down principles for territorial organization that emphasized democracy and individual rights. Its focus on education and civil liberties helped shape societal values in new states as they formed. Furthermore, by setting a precedent for banning slavery in new territories, it contributed to tensions between free and slave states, foreshadowing conflicts leading up to the Civil War. The ordinance's impact on policy-making regarding land management and state admission continues to influence contemporary discussions on governance.

Related terms

Articles of Confederation: The first constitution of the United States, ratified in 1781, which established a weak central government and created a loose confederation of states.

Land Ordinance of 1785: A law that established a system for surveying and selling the lands in the Northwest Territory, dividing it into townships and sections.

Territory: An organized area of land that is not yet a state but is governed by federal law and can be admitted as a state once certain criteria are met.