United States' Land Ordinance of 1785

Definition

The United States' Land Ordinance of 1785 was a significant law that established a systematic process for surveying, selling, and settling land in the Northwest Territory. This ordinance aimed to promote westward expansion by organizing land into townships and sections, facilitating the distribution of land to settlers, and ensuring that revenue from land sales would support public education and government expenses. By providing a clear framework for land settlement, it influenced settlement patterns across the new nation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Land Ordinance of 1785 divided the Northwest Territory into townships that were further subdivided into 36 sections, each typically one square mile.
2. This ordinance was significant because it laid the groundwork for orderly and organized land sales, avoiding chaos in the settlement process.
3. One important aspect of the ordinance was its provision to set aside one section of each township for public schools, emphasizing the importance of education.
4. The survey method established by this ordinance influenced settlement patterns by encouraging grid-like patterns of development, which are still evident in many areas today.
5. The success of the Land Ordinance of 1785 set a precedent for future land policies and ordinances that guided westward expansion throughout the 19th century.

Review Questions

• How did the Land Ordinance of 1785 influence settlement patterns in the Northwest Territory?
  • The Land Ordinance of 1785 structured land into townships and sections, promoting an organized approach to settlement in the Northwest Territory. This grid-like pattern facilitated easier navigation and access for settlers, leading to more orderly development compared to unplanned settlements. By providing clear boundaries and divisions, it allowed for efficient land sales and cultivation, shaping the way communities formed in this region.
• In what ways did the Land Ordinance of 1785 reflect the priorities of early American governance regarding education and land use?
  • The Land Ordinance of 1785 reflected early American governance priorities by emphasizing both education and systematic land use. By setting aside a section for public schools in each township, it showcased a commitment to fostering education among new settlers. Additionally, through its organized surveying methods, it demonstrated an intent to manage land resources effectively, ensuring that settlement was orderly while also promoting economic growth through agriculture.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of the Land Ordinance of 1785 on American westward expansion and land management policies.
  • The long-term impacts of the Land Ordinance of 1785 were profound, as it established a framework that influenced not only immediate settlement but also future land management policies across the United States. Its organized approach to surveying and selling land set a standard that facilitated westward expansion throughout the 19th century. The principles laid out in this ordinance informed subsequent legislation, such as the Homestead Act, contributing to patterns of land ownership and use that shaped American society. Overall, it played a crucial role in transforming vast territories into organized states with defined governance structures.

Related terms

Township: A square unit of land that is six miles on each side, used as a basic unit in the U.S. Public Land Survey System.

Section: A subdivision of a township, typically one square mile in area, used for organizing land under the U.S. Public Land Survey System.

Northwest Territory: The region created by the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 that included land northwest of the Ohio River, which was open for settlement after the Land Ordinance of 1785.