Northwest Territory One of the most important accomplishments

Northwest Territory • One of the most important accomplishments under the Articles of Confederation • Planned to sell land to raise revenue • By 1784, a plethora of individuals moved westward – Caused problems with Native Americans – Federal leaders could not afford to fight wars; decided to regulate settlement

THE NORTHWEST ORDINANCE of 1787

THE NORTHWEST ORDINANCE I. CONFEDERATION: a group of loosely joined, but sovereign states.

THE NORTHWEST ORDINANCE A. Problem: Many states made claims to the western lands (Northwest Territory). Ø Boundaries of the Northwest Territory: Great Lakes (north), Pennsylvania (east), Ohio River (south), Mississippi River (west)

THE NORTHWEST ORDINANCE B. Solution to the Problem: All states agreed to cede (give) their claims to Congress, so Congress can sell the land for the good of the country (confederation). NATIONAL DOMAIN – Public land

THE NORTHWEST ORDINANCE II. LAND ORDINANCE of 1785: Congress’s plan to sell the land of the Northwest Territory. A. Rectangular Survey System – carefully surveyed the land into squares to be sold.

THE NORTHWEST ORDINANCE 1. Township – the largest division of land. It is thirty-six square miles.

THE NORTHWEST ORDINANCE 2. Section – 36 sections in a township. It is one square mile or 640 acres.

THE NORTHWEST ORDINANCE 3. Acre – the smallest division of land. It sold for $1 per acre. The average size farm was 40 acres. So, it sold for $40.

THE NORTHWEST ORDINANCE B. Education – the sale from one section of each township goes to start a school for that township. How much went for education? Answer: $640

III. THE NORTHWEST ORDINANCE of 1787 this document establishes… ü the principles and procedures for the orderly expansion of the United States.

THE NORTHWEST ORDINANCE of 1787 A. Statehood: 1. When the population reaches 5, 000 adult males the area can: a. Establish an elected assembly b. Governor still had absolute veto power

THE NORTHWEST ORDINANCE of 1787 2. When the population reaches 60, 000 adult males the area can: a. can write a state constitution and apply for statehood. b. If Congress approves the state Constitution that area will become a state.

THE NORTHWEST ORDINANCE of 1787 Five states: Ohio (1803) Indiana (1816) Illinois (1818) Michigan (1837) Wisconsin (1848)

THE NORTHWEST ORDINANCE of 1787 Rights Guaranteed: 1. 2. 3. 4. Trial by jury Public education Freedom of religion Prohibition of slavery

Conflicts with Spain and Britain • The Spanish forbid American trade with New Orleans • Relations with Britain deteriorated – They rejected free trade and reverted back to mercantilism • American Congress not strong enough to fight against these policies/violations

Weakness of the Articles of Confederation • Congress could not levy or collect taxes • Congress was powerless to regulate interstate commerce or foreign trade • Each state had only 1 vote in Congress (regardless of size) • 2/3 majority was required to pass laws • Articles could only be amended with the consent of ALL states • No separate executive branch to enforce acts of Congress • No system or federal courts

Shay’s Rebellion • Economic problems in MA and other states • People had too little money; states continued to place high taxes • Farms could be auctioned off and the farmers could be put in jail • Farmers asked for debt relief, Massachusetts Legislature refused.

Shay’s Rebellion

Shay’s Rebellion • Led by Daniel Shays, Revolutionary War Veteran • Marched over 1, 000 men to federal arsenal; but were put down • Farmers lost; but gained sympathy throughout country • Convinced many Americans that the country needed a new government • • American leaders hoped that the national issues could be solved by strengthening the national government.