Northwest Ordinance Overview

Facts

Passed July 13, 1787 Resulted in the creation of the

Northwest Territory; encompassed the region south of the Great Lakes, north and west of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi River.

Slightly modified in 1789

Considered by many to be similar in importance to the Declaration of Independence

The ordinance set into motion the act that the federal government would be sovereign and expand westward across North America

Admission of new states as opposed to expansion of those already in existence

Very important to the boundaries of public lands

Affects of the Rivers

Ohio River was established as the boundary b/w free and slave territory

Caused thought/debate on admission of free and slave states for the new territories

Vital to travel/economy and definition of boundaries throughout history

Effects of the NW Ordinance

Lands were surveyed, divided up and sold to produce revenue for the government

Set a precedent for future settlements States relinquished claims of public

domain over to the federal government New states formed: Ohio, Indiana,

Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and part of Minnesota

Natural rights were established in reference to law, property, education and religious practice

Verbage prohibited slavery but did nothing to emancipate slaves already in captivity

Slaves could not be bought or sold under “indentured” status

Article VI-required fugitive slaves to be returned to their owners; Pro-slavery status now had federal support