Northwest Ordinance Of 1787 Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is Northwest Ordinance Of 1787?

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 was an act of the Continental Congress, passed on July 13th. The ordinance established a government for the Northwest Territory, which at the time included present-day Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. It provided for survey and settlement of the lands in this region as well as eventual statehood for its residents. The Northwest Ordinance also contained important legal provisions that protected individual liberties in this area such as freedom of religion, due process protections and trial by jury. The passage of the Northwest Ordinance was a major milestone in American history as it marked one of the first steps towards forming a United States out of separate parts. It created a pathway to statehood for territories that until then had been little more than wildernesses with no defined political structure. The ordinance provided detailed instructions on how land should be surveyed and subdivided into townships and lots so settlers could claim their own property rights over land they developed or improved upon. This encouraged economic development within these regions which ultimately helped lead to their statehood several decades later. The Northwest Ordinance also contained important clauses that protected civil liberties for residents living within its boundaries including freedom from arbitrary arrest or seizure; religious liberty; protection from cruel punishment; trial by jury; no taxation without representation; protection from double jeopardy and many other guarantees outlined in what would later become known as the Bill of Rights when incorporated into the US Constitution in 1791. Ultimately, passage of the Northwest Ordinance marked an important step in America’s journey towards becoming a unified nation comprised of multiple states with equal rights under law for all citizens regardless or race or creed.