What did the Northwest Ordinance do? Make sure to include all of its provisions, what it established, and what it outlawed.
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 was an essential piece of legislation passed by the United States Congress under the Articles of Confederation. It provided for the organization and governance of the Northwest Territory, which included the areas that would later become the states of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota. The ordinance consisted of several provisions that established a framework for territorial expansion, the admission of new states, and the prohibition of slavery.
1. Territorial Organization: The Northwest Ordinance established a process for organizing territories into future states. Initially, the territory was to be governed by a governor and judges appointed by Congress, which oversaw all legislative and executive power. Once the territory reached a population of 5,000 free adult males, it could elect its own legislature. When the population reached 60,000, the territory could apply for statehood.
2. Fundamental Rights: The ordinance guaranteed certain fundamental rights to the territorial inhabitants. These included freedom of religion, habeas corpus, trial by jury, and due process of law.
3. Public Education: The ordinance mandated that schools be established in each township, ensuring public education and promoting literacy.
4. Land Division: The territory was divided into townships, each consisting of 36 square miles. Within each township, one section was set aside for public education. Additionally, one-third of the land was allocated for the support of religion, although this provision was never widely implemented.
5. Outlawing Slavery: Perhaps one of the most significant provisions of the ordinance was the prohibition of slavery in the Northwest Territory. Article 6 of the ordinance stated that "there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude" in the territory. This marked one of the first instances in American history where a formal document outlawed slavery, setting an important precedent for future states.
The Northwest Ordinance played a crucial role in shaping the future development of the United States. It established an organized and democratic system for statehood, protected essential rights, and prohibited the expansion of slavery in the northwest part of the United States.