Which statement about the Northwest Ordinance is true?

Which statement about the Northwest Ordinance is true?

• A. It established a system for setting up governments in western territories so they could eventually join the Union on an equal footing with the original 13 states
• B. It declared independence from Britain
• C. It created a national bank
• D. It prohibited all settlers

Answer: (A)

The statement is describing the purpose of the Northwest Ordinance: it created a process for governing lands beyond the original states and set up a clear path for how those territories could become states on equal footing with the original thirteen. It established a territorial government first, then allowed the territory to elect a legislature as population grew, and once the population reached about 60,000, the inhabitants could draft a constitution and apply for statehood with the same status as the existing states. This framework helped maintain national unity while supporting westward expansion. The ordinance also included principles like rights protections and banning slavery in the Northwest Territory, but its central idea is organizing governance and a pathway to statehood, not independence, a national bank, or prohibiting all settlers.

The statement is describing the purpose of the Northwest Ordinance: it created a process for governing lands beyond the original states and set up a clear path for how those territories could become states on equal footing with the original thirteen. It established a territorial government first, then allowed the territory to elect a legislature as population grew, and once the population reached about 60,000, the inhabitants could draft a constitution and apply for statehood with the same status as the existing states. This framework helped maintain national unity while supporting westward expansion. The ordinance also included principles like rights protections and banning slavery in the Northwest Territory, but its central idea is organizing governance and a pathway to statehood, not independence, a national bank, or prohibiting all settlers.