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Northwest Territory: Quick Facts

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Northwest Territory
Map illustrating the Northwest Territory as defined by the Northwest Ordinances of 1785 and 1787, covering present-day Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Insets show the Ohio Company's land purchases with numbered townships and sections, and a diagram explaining how land was divided into square-mile sections, with further subdivisions labeled by acreage. Section 16 in each township is marked as reserved for public schools. Current state boundaries and years of statehood are indica
Learn how the U.S. Congress passed the Northwest Ordinance to outline settlement of the Northwest Territory
Learn how the opening of the Northwest Territory led to mass migrations from America and Europe
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Map illustrating the Northwest Territory as defined by the Northwest Ordinances of 1785 and 1787, covering present-day Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Insets show the Ohio Company's land purchases with numbered townships and sections, and a diagram explaining how land was divided into square-mile sections, with further subdivisions labeled by acreage. Section 16 in each township is marked as reserved for public schools. Current state boundaries and years of statehood are indica
Treaty of Greenville
Northwest Territory 1785–87
Northwest Ordinances
default image
Jay Treaty
Little Turtle
Saint Clair’s Defeat

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