Completing the Founding: The Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Written while the Constitutional Convention was taking place in 1787, the Northwest Ordinance was adopted fully by the new government, despite being a production of the Articles of Confederation. It also laid the foundation for many of the Founders’ priorities and aspirations in terms of governance, land usage, economics, and slavery. How would the new, expanding America look, and what would it be like? The Northwest Ordinance is an essential enabler for the America that came on the heals of the Revolution.

Jeff is joined by historian Peter Onuf to discuss this essential, yet largely overlooked, document.

Read the document: https://teachingamericanhistory.org/document/the-northwest-ordinance/

Host: Jeff Sikkenga

Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton

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