The Northwest Ordinance, passed in 1787, guaranteed the property rights of settlers and provided a democratic model for national expansion. It created a single Northwest Territory from lands north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi River. The lands were to be divided into three to five smaller territories. When a territory had 60,000 residents, the people could seek statehood. Each new state would have the same standing as the original 13 states.
The Northwest Ordinance had a bill of rights for the settlers in the territory. It guaranteed freedom of religion and trial by jury. It also stated, "There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in said territory." This clause, or condition added to a document, marked the first
The Northwest Ordinance had a bill of rights for the settlers in the territory. It guaranteed freedom of religion and trial by jury. It also stated, "There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in said territory." This clause, or condition added to a document, marked the first