Question
The Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 are considered significant achievements under the Articles of Confederation because they provided a structured system for settling and governing the vast western territories, laying the groundwork for future statehood and establishing important principles like the prohibition of slavery in the Northwest Territory, demonstrating that the Confederation government could effectively manage westward expansion despite its overall weaknesses
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Your summary of the Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 highlights their importance in shaping the future of the United States under the Articles of Confederation.
The **Land Ordinance of 1785** established a systematic process for surveying and selling land in the western territories. It divided the land into townships and sections, ensuring organized settlement and helping to raise revenue for the federal government. This structure not only facilitated orderly expansion but also set a precedent for land policy that would be followed in subsequent years.
The **Northwest Ordinance of 1787** built upon this framework by providing a method for admitting new states to the Union from the Northwest Territory. It guaranteed certain rights for settlers, such as freedom of religion and the right to a trial by jury, and crucially, it established that slavery would be prohibited in the Northwest Territory. This laid the groundwork for the balance between free and slave states in the future, demonstrating a commitment to liberty that would resonate throughout U.S. history.
These ordinances reflected the Confederation government’s capability to manage the complex process of westward expansion despite its weaknesses, such as a lack of taxation power and the inability to enforce laws effectively. They helped to create a sense of unity and purpose among the states and served as foundational documents in the evolution of American governance and land policy. Overall, they represent the innovative approaches taken during a formative period in American history.
The **Land Ordinance of 1785** established a systematic process for surveying and selling land in the western territories. It divided the land into townships and sections, ensuring organized settlement and helping to raise revenue for the federal government. This structure not only facilitated orderly expansion but also set a precedent for land policy that would be followed in subsequent years.
The **Northwest Ordinance of 1787** built upon this framework by providing a method for admitting new states to the Union from the Northwest Territory. It guaranteed certain rights for settlers, such as freedom of religion and the right to a trial by jury, and crucially, it established that slavery would be prohibited in the Northwest Territory. This laid the groundwork for the balance between free and slave states in the future, demonstrating a commitment to liberty that would resonate throughout U.S. history.
These ordinances reflected the Confederation government’s capability to manage the complex process of westward expansion despite its weaknesses, such as a lack of taxation power and the inability to enforce laws effectively. They helped to create a sense of unity and purpose among the states and served as foundational documents in the evolution of American governance and land policy. Overall, they represent the innovative approaches taken during a formative period in American history.