Lesson 1 The Northwest
Ordinance
After the Revolutionary War Americans
started moving west across the Appalachian Mountains to land known as the Northwest
Territory. This land was north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi River.
In 1785 the United States government sent men to survey
the Northwest Territory. The men divided the territory into townships. Each township was
six miles long by six miles wide. The townships were divided into four equal parts: one
for public buildings such as schools and courthouses. The rest was for sale. |
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In 1785 the United States government sent men to survey
the Northwest Territory. The men divided the territory into townships. Each township was
six miles long by six miles wide. The townships were divided into four equal parts: one
for public buildings such as schools and courthouses. The rest was for sale.
In 1787 Congress passed the Northwest Ordinance which
said:
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Appoint a governor to make rules for each area where
people settled.
When 5,000 free male settlers over the age of 21 came
to an area, it could start its own legislature to make its own laws.
After 5,000 free male settlers moved to an area it
would then be called a territory.
A territory could later become a state.
Legislators from a territory could go to Congress,
but they could not vote.
People living in territories were given the same
rights as all Americans.
When 60,000 free people moved to a territory they
could write a state constitution and ask to become a state. Free people did not include
blacks or slaves.
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People began to move into the Northwest Territory by horseback and
by wagons. They also traveled on rafts and flatboats down the rivers.