The Confederation passed two major laws organizing the land Northwest

of the Ohio River.

They are often collectively referred to as the Northwest Ordinance.

The Land Ordinance

of 1785

The Northwest Ordinance

of 1787

Please do not look ahead in this packet.

The largest unit in each territory was the

COUNTY

Calculations

Counties were further subdivided into 36 townships,

six miles per side.What is the

farthest anyone could possibly live from the center of the township?

Round to the nearest mile.

When you think you have the mathematical answer, raise your hand.

Calculations

Sizing a family farm for the 1780s.

House and farmyard: ½ acre

Kitchen garden (1/10 acre per person) _____

Pasture (one acre per large animal) _____

Hay (one acre per large animal) _____

Grain Crops (2 acres per adult male) _____

Woodlot – harvest 1/10 acre/year25 year regrowth cycle _____

TOTAL:

What size farm will be sold to settlers?

Each section was divided into four quarter sections of 160 acres each.These quarter sections were the unit sold to settlers.

Brainstorming/Notes

Northern value: Evidence Elaboration________________________________________________________________________Citizen participation in 36 mile square counties All farmers within one day’sdemocracy horseback ride of county seat________________________________________________________________________Education valued Land set aside for education One section in each township

6 mile square townships set aside to support schools.________________________________________________________________________Rough social equality Land cheap and available Anyone could purchase 160

to all. Acres because the price waslow and loans were cheap

________________________________________________________________________Family was important The standard unit of land 160 acres was more than any

for sale was a quarter- 1780s grain farmer needed.section. Farmers were expected to

divide land between theirchildren. Families couldkeep living in close proximityto one another.

________________________________________________________________________Slavery The no-slavery clause Even though the area covered

by the Northwest Ordinancewas unsuitable for slavery,the prohibition had symbolicvalue.