Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Definition

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 was an important piece of legislation passed by the Confederation Congress that established a framework for governing the Northwest Territory, which included areas that would become Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota. It set forth a process for admitting new states to the Union and laid out principles regarding land rights, education, and the treatment of Native Americans.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Northwest Ordinance provided a method for admitting new states into the Union on equal footing with existing states, promoting the idea of westward expansion.
2. It included a bill of rights that guaranteed fundamental freedoms such as freedom of religion and trial by jury, reflecting Enlightenment ideals.
3. One of the key provisions was the prohibition of slavery in the Northwest Territory, setting a precedent for future territories and states.
4. The ordinance established a system for public education by mandating that a portion of land be set aside for schools in each township.
5. The ordinance recognized Native American land rights but also set a framework that often led to encroachments on their territories by settlers.

Review Questions

• How did the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 impact the political landscape of the newly formed United States?
  • The Northwest Ordinance established a systematic approach for incorporating new states into the Union, which was crucial for expanding American territory while maintaining political stability. By ensuring that new states would have equal standing with existing ones, it fostered a sense of unity among states and encouraged westward expansion. This framework not only shaped future territorial governance but also set important precedents in American law and policy.
• Analyze how the Northwest Ordinance addressed issues related to land rights and education in the context of American expansion.
  • The Northwest Ordinance addressed land rights by creating a structured process for surveying and selling land while recognizing some Native American claims to their territories. It also emphasized education by mandating that townships allocate land for schools, reflecting an early commitment to public education as essential for a democratic society. This focus on education helped ensure that future generations in these new states would be informed citizens, capable of participating in self-governance.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of the Northwest Ordinance on Native American relations and territorial expansion in the United States.
  • The Northwest Ordinance had profound long-term effects on Native American relations as it set in motion policies that facilitated westward expansion at the expense of Indigenous lands. Although it acknowledged Native American land rights in principle, the actual implementation often led to dispossession and conflict as settlers encroached upon these lands. This tension laid the groundwork for future treaties and conflicts, illustrating the struggles between expanding settler populations and Indigenous communities throughout U.S. history.

Related terms

Land Ordinance of 1785: A law that established a system for surveying and selling land in the Northwest Territory, which aimed to generate revenue for the federal government.

Articles of Confederation: The first governing document of the United States, which established a weak federal government and was ultimately replaced by the U.S. Constitution.

Native American Relations: The complex interactions between Native American tribes and European settlers, often involving conflict, treaties, and negotiations over land rights.