Changes

Two of Congress's attempts to make money by selling land west of the Appalachians were the Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787.  An "[[ordinance]]" is a new law, often one that concerns the regulation of land.  These two ordinances were the only major laws enacted under the [[Articles of Confederation]].

Two of Congress's attempts to make money by selling land west of the Appalachians were the Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787.  An "[[ordinance]]" is a new law, often one that concerns the regulation of land.  These two ordinances were the only major laws enacted under the [[Articles of Confederation]].

The [[Land Ordinance of 1785]] provided for surveying and dividing territories west of the colonies into towns 6 miles square, and sold 640 acre chunks at auctions for a minimum of $1 per acre.  Almost no one wanted too pay so much money in order to obtain much land, so these chunks were often bought and divided by investors, and then sold to farmers.

The [[Land Ordinance of 1785]] provided for surveying and dividing territories west of the colonies into towns 6 miles square, and sold 640 acre chunks at auctions for a minimum of $1 per acre.  Almost no one wanted to pay so much money in order to obtain much land, so these chunks were often bought and divided by investors, and then sold to farmers.

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 was the most important achievement of the Confederation period.  Keep in mind that the "northwest" in 1787 consisted of what is now Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan, which were territories northwest of the 13 colonies.  This Ordinance established a way to create no less than three and no more than five new states.  It established a three-stage process based on population for new states to be created and join the Confederation of colonies.  It also specified what type of government the new territories and states must have, a requirement that would later become part of the [[U.S. Constitution]].

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 was the most important achievement of the Confederation period.  Keep in mind that the "northwest" in 1787 consisted of what is now Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan, which were territories northwest of the 13 colonies.  This Ordinance established a way to create no less than three and no more than five new states.  It established a three-stage process based on population for new states to be created and join the Confederation of colonies.  It also specified what type of government the new territories and states must have, a requirement that would later become part of the [[U.S. Constitution]].