Name ________________________________ Period __________
Northwest Ordinance
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 created a set of rules that would determine how the western territories would be
governed. How the territories would be set up was important since these territories would become states. Use the
Northwest Ordinance Articles I-VI to explain what was said about each of the following issues in questions 1-5. If a
quote will make your answer better, then use one, but your answer should not be only a quote. The document can be
found in the handout section of my webpage or at http://www.law.ou.edu/ushistory/ordinanc.shtml . Your answers
should be written in complete sentences and should fully address the issues
Issue
1. Practice of religion
2. Justice system
3. Slavery
4. Education
How it was addressed in the Northwest Ordinance
Issue
5. Relations with
Native Americans
6. What was the
“utmost good faith
clause?”
How well did it work
in reality?
7. Use your textbook
to explain the process
of how a territory
could become a state.
Make sure you
include all the steps.
How it was addressed in the Northwest Ordinance
Name ____________________________________________ Per._________
Northwest Territory
Part A
On the map on the back, label the following items. Color each labeled territory a different color, and the labeled states
a single color. Create a key in the box provided. Outline water in blue (except for the Atlantic Ocean). All labeling
should be printed neatly in black ink. Follow your map rules. Use pages 207, 210, and A6-A9
States and Territories
Physical Features
New York
Mississippi River
Massachusetts
Ohio River
Pennsylvania
Appalachian Mountains
Virginia
Atlantic Ocean
Georgia
Lake Ontario
Kentucky
Lake Erie
Northwest Territory
Lake Superior
Spanish Territory
Lake Michigan
British Territory
Lake Huron
Part B
1. What two states claimed the most land west of the Appalachian Mountains?
____________________________________________________________________________________
2. What country(s) had land claims that conflicted with those of the U.S.?
____________________________________________________________________________________
3. What natural feature forms the boundary of the Northwest Territory to the South? West? North?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
4. Why did states eventually give up their land claims to lands west of the Appalachian Mountains?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
5. How many full states did the Northwest Territory eventually become? _________________________