Changes

When a new territory in the "northwest" had less than 5000 adult free (non-slave) males, it was to be ruled by a governor, a secretary, and three judges appointed by Congress.  When the population exceeded 5000, then they could elect a legislature (assembly) that could send a nonvoting person to Congress.  A territory was required to have at least 60,000 free men living in it before it could apply for statehood.  A republican form of government was required in order for a territory to become a new state.  Slavery was prohibited north of the Ohio River (which means it was prohibited virtually everywhere in the Northwest Territory).   

When a new territory in the "northwest" had less than 5000 adult free (non-slave) males, it was to be ruled by a governor, a secretary, and three judges appointed by Congress.  When the population exceeded 5000, then they could elect a legislature (assembly) that could send a nonvoting person to Congress.  A territory was required to have at least 60,000 free men living in it before it could apply for statehood.  A republican form of government was required in order for a territory to become a new state.  Slavery was prohibited north of the Ohio River (which means it was prohibited virtually everywhere in the Northwest Territory).   

The Northwest Ordinance was the first to protect territories against the taking of property by government without just compensation, which was later enacted as part of the Fifth Amendment.  The Northwest Ordinance protected other individual rights that would later become part of the [[Bill of Rights]]:  religious freedom, a right to a writ of ''habeas corpus'' (which enables anyone imprisoned to demand a hearing to challenge his imprisonment) and trial by jury (keep in mind that the [[U.S. Constitution]] did not exist yet).  In addition the ordinance encouraged public education, but public schools would not become widespread in their modern form until the 1900s.  

The Northwest Ordinance was the first to protect private property against the taking of property by government without just compensation, which was later enacted as part of the Fifth Amendment.  The Northwest Ordinance protected other individual rights that would later become part of the [[Bill of Rights]]:  religious freedom, a right to a writ of ''habeas corpus'' (which enables anyone imprisoned to demand a hearing to challenge his imprisonment) and trial by jury (keep in mind that the [[U.S. Constitution]] did not exist yet).  In addition, the ordinance encouraged public education, but public schools would not become widespread in their modern form until the 1900s.  

The Northwest Ordinance was a huge success, establishing how new states could be created in a peaceful and orderly manner.  It also put foreign countries, particularly England and France, on notice that the [[United States]] owned this land and would be settling it.   

The Northwest Ordinance was a huge success, establishing how new states could be created in a peaceful and orderly manner.  It also put foreign countries, particularly England and France, on notice that the [[United States]] owned this territory and would be settling it.   

This Ordinance was passed in the summer of 1787, while the Constitutional Convention was meeting in Philadelphia.  When the Articles of Confederation were replaced by the Constitution, the Ordinance was passed again under the new Constitution.

This Ordinance was passed in the summer of 1787, while the Constitutional Convention was meeting in Philadelphia.  When the Articles of Confederation were replaced by the Constitution, the Ordinance was passed again under the new Constitution.