created "AMERICAN democracy"
the northwest ordinances: 1784, 1785, and 1787
Summary
The Northwest Ordinances were numerous act enacted by Congress in order to establish an orderly system for settlement and political representation of the Northwest Territories. Before 1780, the land comprising the Northwest territory belonged to several existing states. To guide settlement and division of this territory, Jefferson drafted the Land Ordinance of 1784, which divided the territory into numerous, self-governing districts. Once the population of a given district was at 20,000, it could send a representative to Congress, an when it's population was equal to the least populated state, it was eligible for statehood. Under the Land Ordinance of 1785, the area was divided up according to a rectangular grid system. The maximum price per acre was $1. The Ordinance stated that for each settlement (a township), there was a section to be devoted to a school. The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 laid the basis for the government of the territory. Once each district attained a population of 5,000 free males, it could form its own representative legislature. The territory could apply for statehood once it gained a population of 60,000. Slavery was forever outlawed in the areas of the Northwest Territory, religious and civil liberties were guaranteed, Indians were treated decently, and education was provided to all. |
Connection to the Thesis
This artifact connects to the thesis statement because it portrays how the physical frontier catalyzed the development of "American Democracy." Democracy essentially meant that everyone was equal, a prized American idea. Under the Land Ordinances of 1784, 1785, and 1787, slavery was abolished, and religious and civil liberties were provided. Furthermore, everyone was given equal education, which resulted in everyone having the same opportunists for success. Natives were treated decently, unlike numerous other places in the U.S. at the time. The lands under these Ordinances (the Northwest Territory) was essentially the frontier of the northern part of the U.S., as pioneer Americans would establish their own settlements that would gradually evolve into territories and then states. Without the frontier, there would be no Land Ordinances, and therefore these opportunists and promises would have not existed. Thus, one can argue that the American frontier during the late-18th century impacted American society by catalyzing the growth and development of American Democracy by providing equal opportunities for its residents.
This artifact connects to the thesis statement because it portrays how the physical frontier catalyzed the development of "American Democracy." Democracy essentially meant that everyone was equal, a prized American idea. Under the Land Ordinances of 1784, 1785, and 1787, slavery was abolished, and religious and civil liberties were provided. Furthermore, everyone was given equal education, which resulted in everyone having the same opportunists for success. Natives were treated decently, unlike numerous other places in the U.S. at the time. The lands under these Ordinances (the Northwest Territory) was essentially the frontier of the northern part of the U.S., as pioneer Americans would establish their own settlements that would gradually evolve into territories and then states. Without the frontier, there would be no Land Ordinances, and therefore these opportunists and promises would have not existed. Thus, one can argue that the American frontier during the late-18th century impacted American society by catalyzing the growth and development of American Democracy by providing equal opportunities for its residents.