AMH 2010 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Northwest Ordinance, Onehouse
Document Summary
The articles of confederation the first written constitution of the united. The only powers granted to the national government were those for declaring war, conducting foreign affairs, and making treaties. Congress established national control over land to the west of the thirteen states and devised rules for its settlement. In the immediate aftermath of independence, congress took the position that by aiding the british, indians had forfeited the right to their lands. Congress was unsure how to regulate the settlement of western land. Land ordinance of 1784 called for the west to be divided into separate states. Land ordinance of 1785 regulated land sales in the region north of the ohio river. Northwest ordinance of 1787 established policy that admitted the area"s population as equal members of the political system. Facing seizure of their land, debt-ridden farmers closed the courts. Demonstrated the need for a more central government to ensure private liberty.
