1. Unit 9: Lecture 3 The Northwest Ordinance Mr. Smith 8 th grade U.S. History January 14 th & 15 th, 2013

2. New Land – What to do with it? The most important question for early American government was what to do with these new lands A series of laws were passed that divided them and established how they would be governed: –Land Ordinance of 1785 –Northwest Ordinance of 1787

3. Land Ordinance of 1785 Called for surveyors to stake out six-mile-square plots –These would be called township –PAUSE WITH NOTES…COPY TOWNSHIP –Each town was required to set aside a square mile section of land for schools These lands later became known as the Northwest Territory –Future states of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota

4. Northwest Ordinance (1787) Described how the Northwest Territory was to be governed When 60,000 people populated a territory, it could apply for statehood Outline the laws of these territories –Slavery was outlawed, but indentured servitude was allowed…slaves already in the territories were not automatically freed, fugitives were returned –Rivers were open for navigation by all –Freedom of religion was guaranteed –Right to trial by jury was also guaranteed