To form a political system for the region, Congress passed the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. The ordinance established the Northwest Territory, which included areas that are now in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The Northwest Ordinance created a system for bringing new states into the Union. Congress agreed that the Northwest Territory would be divided into several smaller territories with a governor appointed by Congress. When the population of a territory reached 60,000, its settlers could draft their own constitution and ask to join the Union.

Question

Question: Under the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, which factor determined whether a territory could become a state?

A Land area of the territory

B Total population within the territory

C Number of slaves in the territory

D Number of townships constructed within the territory

Answer 1

B Total population within the territory

Under the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, a territory could apply for statehood once its population reached 60,000.