What did the Northwest Ordinance establish?

The Northwest Ordinance established a system for state land organization in the Ohio Valley, which was crucial for the orderly expansion of the United States into this territory. Enacted in 1787, the ordinance provided a structured process for territories to gain statehood once they reached a certain population size. It outlined how new states would be created from the Northwest Territory, which included areas that would become Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

The ordinance also addressed governance in the newly formed territories, setting up a framework for law, education, and civil rights. By establishing rules for land distribution and settlement, it encouraged migration and settlement in the region, ensuring that new states would enter the Union on an equal footing with existing states. This systematic approach was vital for the westward expansion, shaping the future of the United States as it grew into new territories.