Home / Worksheets / Grade 12 / Social studies / The Northwest Ordinance: Shaping a Nation

The Northwest Ordinance: Shaping a Nation

This worksheet explores the historical context, provisions, and long-term impact of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787.

Grade 12 Social studies HistoryU.S. HistoryNorthwest Ordinance
Use This Worksheet

Includes

Multiple ChoiceFill in the BlanksTrue / FalseShort Answer

Standards

D2.His.2.9-12D2.His.3.9-12

Topics

U.S. HistoryNorthwest OrdinanceEarly RepublicAmerican Government
6 sections · Free to use · Printable
← More Social studies worksheets for Grade 12

The Northwest Ordinance: Shaping a Nation

Name:

Date:

Score:

Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. For multiple-choice questions, circle the letter corresponding to the correct answer. For fill-in-the-blank and short-answer questions, write your response in the space provided.

1. Which of the following was NOT a provision of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?

a

Abolition of slavery in the territory.

b

Establishment of a system for admitting new states.

c

Guaranteed religious freedom and trial by jury.

d

Establishment of a national bank to fund westward expansion.

2. The Northwest Ordinance is considered a significant achievement of the Confederation Congress because it:

a

Resolved all territorial disputes with Great Britain.

b

Provided an orderly process for westward expansion and the creation of new states.

c

Established a strong federal government with executive and judicial branches.

d

Created a unified currency for all the states.

3. The Northwest Ordinance prohibited   in the territory, a significant precursor to later national debates.

4. Under the Ordinance, a territory could become a state when its population reached   free inhabitants.

5. The land surveying system established by the Ordinance was known as the   system.

6. The Northwest Ordinance was the first document to establish public education as a priority in new territories.

T

True

F

False

7. The Northwest Ordinance created a strong central government, directly leading to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.

T

True

F

False

8. Explain the significance of the Northwest Ordinance in the context of American westward expansion and the development of new states.

9. How did the Northwest Ordinance address the issue of slavery, and what was the long-term impact of this decision?