Land Ordinance of 1785

Definition

The Land Ordinance of 1785 was a law enacted by the Confederation Congress that established a systematic process for surveying and selling the land in the western territories of the United States. This ordinance played a crucial role in organizing land distribution, promoting settlement, and generating revenue for the new nation, particularly in the context of land acquired through treaties and purchases.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The ordinance divided land into townships measuring six miles square, which were further subdivided into 36 sections of one square mile each.
2. Each section was to be sold at a minimum price of $1 per acre, allowing for both large and small-scale purchasers to acquire land.
3. The ordinance aimed to promote education by reserving section 16 in each township for the support of public schools.
4. The Land Ordinance of 1785 laid the groundwork for future legislation related to land sales and settlement patterns in the West.
5. It was one of the first federal laws to create a standardized approach to land sales, contrasting with earlier chaotic methods used by individual states.

Review Questions

• How did the Land Ordinance of 1785 influence settlement patterns in the Northwest Territory?
  • The Land Ordinance of 1785 significantly influenced settlement patterns in the Northwest Territory by establishing a systematic method for surveying and selling land. By dividing the territory into townships and sections, it allowed settlers to purchase land more easily and encouraged orderly development. This organized approach facilitated migration into the West, leading to increased population growth and economic activity in the newly formed states.
• Discuss the long-term impacts of the Land Ordinance of 1785 on American land policy and governance.
  • The Land Ordinance of 1785 set a precedent for future American land policy by introducing a standardized process for surveying and selling public land. This ordinance not only facilitated westward expansion but also laid the groundwork for later legislation like the Homestead Act. The principles established by this ordinance influenced how land would be managed, ensuring that education and infrastructure would be supported through careful planning and regulation.
• Evaluate how the Land Ordinance of 1785 reflects the broader goals of the early American government regarding westward expansion and statehood.
  • The Land Ordinance of 1785 reflects the broader goals of the early American government by emphasizing orderly westward expansion and establishing a framework for eventual statehood. By creating a system for land distribution that included provisions for education and infrastructure, it demonstrated a commitment to building sustainable communities. This approach aimed to integrate new territories into the Union in a manner that upheld democratic values while promoting economic growth, thereby ensuring that these regions would contribute positively to the emerging national identity.

Related terms

Northwest Territory: A region of the United States that was created by the Land Ordinance of 1785, encompassing present-day Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota.

Public Land Survey System: A method used to survey and divide land in the United States into townships and sections, which originated from the regulations set by the Land Ordinance of 1785.

Homestead Act: A law passed in 1862 that encouraged westward expansion by providing settlers with land at little or no cost, building on the principles established by earlier ordinances.