The Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Territory

America’s First National Government Continental Congress passed the Articles of Confederation in November – Gave little power to national (federal) gov’t Left many important powers to the states – Taxes, and enforcing national laws National Government run by Confederation Congress – Each state had 1 vote in congress – Could wage war, make peace, sign treaties and issue money

Settling the Public Domain The Articles of Confederation did not give congress the power to tax Sold public lands in the west to raise revenue One of the Confederation Congress was how to deal with the sale and settlement of the public lands States that claimed western lands ceded them to the government

Provided an orderly procedure to sell lands north of Ohio River Divided territory into townships  6 miles x 6 miles square Opportunity to a lot of land cheap Some land was reserved for Revolutionary War veterans Land Ordinance of 1785

miles A B C DD A – Half-section = 320 acres B – Quarter-section = 160 acres C – Half-quarter section = 80 acres D – Quarter-quarter section = 40 acres Land sold for $1 per acre

Northwest Ordinance (1787) Passed in 1787, it created a government for the Northwest Territory –Land north of Ohio River & west of Pennsylvania to the Mississippi River Section 1 Northwest Territory was to be divided into at least 3 but no more than 5 states Section 2 3-step process to achieve statehood Could petition for statehood –At first territory would be ruled by a governor, secretary and 3 judges appointed by Congress –When adult male population reached 5,000 they elect territorial legislature and a territorial delegate to Congress –When TOTAL population reached 60,000 they could apply for statehood –Would come into Union with all rights & privileges of original 13 states Set a precedent that new states would have equal status to old states

Northwest Ordinance (1787) Section 3 Created a Bill of rights for settlers Slavery would not be allowed in the Northwest territory –Insured that northern states would be free territory Protected freedom of religion Ensured trial by jury