Changes

==The Land Ordinance and The Northwest Ordinance==

==The Land Ordinance and The Northwest Ordinance==

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 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 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, Illinois, and Michigan, which were territories northwest of the 13 colonies.  This Ordinance established the requirements and procedures a territory must fulfill in order to become a state, and the type of governments the territories should have.   

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, Illinois, and Michigan, which were territories northwest of the 13 colonies.  This Ordinance established the requirements and procedures a territory must fulfill in order to become a state, and the type of governments the territories should have.   

When a territory had less than 5000 adult white males, it was ruled by a governor and three judges appointed by Congress.  When the population exceeded 5000, then they could elect a legislature that could send a nonvoting person to Congress.  A territory was required to have at least 60,000 white men living in it before it could apply for statehood, and slavery was prohibited north of the Ohio River.  Each new state was required to have a republican form of government.

When a territory had less than 5000 adult white males, it was ruled by a governor and three judges appointed by Congress.  When the population exceeded 5000, then they could elect a legislature that could send a nonvoting person to Congress.  A territory was required to have at least 60,000 white men living in it before it could apply for statehood, and slavery was prohibited north of the Ohio River.  Each new state was required to have a republican form of government.

The Northwest Ordinance was a huge success, establishing how new states could be created in a peaceful and orderly manner.  This Ordinance was passed as the Constitutional Convention was going on.  When the Articles of Confederation were replaced, the Ordinance was passed again under the new Constitution.

The Northwest Ordinance was a huge success, establishing how new states could be created in a peaceful and orderly manner.  This Ordinance was passed as the [[Constitutional Convention]] was going on.  When the Articles of Confederation were replaced, the Ordinance was passed again under the new Constitution.

==Shays' Rebellion==

==Shays' Rebellion==