The first step was to survey the land and divide it into townships, which were six miles square. Each township was then divided into 36 sections, each one mile square.
2. Sell the Land
The land was then sold to settlers, who were required to pay a minimum price of $1 per acre. The money from the sale of the land was used to pay for the survey and other expenses of the Northwest Territory.
3. Establish a Government
Once a township had 50 free adult male settlers, they could elect a board of trustees to govern the township. The board of trustees was responsible for providing local government services, such as roads, schools, and law enforcement.
4. Become a State
When a territory had a population of 60,000 people, it could apply for statehood. The Northwest Ordinance guaranteed that the new state would have the same rights and privileges as the original 13 states.
The Northwest Ordinance was a very successful plan for settling the Northwest Territory. It helped to create a stable and prosperous region that played a vital role in the development of the United States.