A Guide to Primary Resources for U.S. History : Northwest Ordinance Avalon Project at Yale Law School The Northwest Ordinance, passed by Congress in 1787 under the Articles of Confederation, stipulated how "western lands" (typically described today as the Midwest) would be settled and governed. On a map show students the areas that the Northwest Ordinance encompassed. Ask students to discuss why this document was important to the future geographical boundaries in the United States. Divide the document into sections and have small groups of students analyze different sections then teach the class what the main points were that they found. Have students read the Northwest Ordinance at the same time the class is studying the Articles of Confederation. Analyze how government documents were created. Have a class discussion on the men that wrote the documents, and their motivations for creating the laws that governed the new nation.

Northwest Ordinance
Yale University Law School: The Avalon Project

Description: The Northwest Ordinance, passed by Congress in 1787 under the Articles of Confederation, stipulated how "western lands" (typically described today as the Midwest) would be settled and governed.

Teaching Tips:

"Do Now" Suggestions

On a map show students the areas that the Northwest Ordinance encompassed. Ask students to discuss why this document was important to the future geographical boundaries in the United States.
Divide the document into sections and have small groups of students analyze different sections then teach the class what the main points were that they found.

Suggestion for Using this Resource as Part of a Lesson

Have students read the Northwest Ordinance at the same time the class is studying the Articles of Confederation. Analyze how government documents were created. Have a class discussion on the men that wrote the documents, and their motivations for creating the laws that governed the new nation.