Northwest Ordinance

Word Problems

Take a tour around the country

and see which territories

qualify for statehood

What

was

the

Nort

hw

est

O

rdin

ance

?

It was a set of rules or

qualification by which

a territory could be ANNEXED into the United States (1789)

Qualifi

cati

ons

for

state

hood:

As territories grow in

population they gain the

right of self-government

Democratic Republican Adhere to U.S. Constitution

At least 5,000 men who

owned at least 50 acres

each 60,000 people Must have a previously

established self-government

Dir

ect

ions

With your committee, take a

tour around the American

countryside to decide which

territories qualify for statehood

You must explain why each

scenario does or does not

qualify Team with the most correct

answers and justifications wins

a prize If you’re not sure, explain what

information would be

necessary in order for you to

make a better decision

New

Mex

ico

Terr

itory

Hello. We are the committee from New

Mexico applying for annexation. At this time

our territory includes freed

slaves, Mexicans, and

Anglo settlers. Our population is just about

60,000 including free

slaves. We have a governor in charge of the

territory and hold regular

elections. Please consider

us for statehood.

Quebec

Terr

itory

Greetings! We are applying

for statehood because we

believe we will make a

wonderful addition to the

United States. Although we

are associated with the

Canadian government, we

have regular elections, and

5,000 families. Our settlers

come from all calls of life,

some being poor and

landless and some very

wealthy. Hopefully this good

balance sits well with you.

Thanks.

Wyo

min

g

Terr

itory

Greetings from beautiful

Wyoming! We would like to be

considered for statehood

because since last year, we

have maintained our

representative government in

which each town in the territory

gets equal representation.

Also, we have written our own

constitution in which we strive

to create a socialist government---one branch of

government to rule all! We are

a very united and patriotic

territory. Please consider us for

statehood.

Iow

a T

err

itory

Hello! We would like to be

considered for statehood for

the following reasons: First

of all, we have 3 branches

of government to rule our

territory, as well as representatives from each

town to voice the opinions

of the people. While we do

maintain the practice of

slavery, it does not interfere

with the democratic process

since slaves are not allowed

to vote.

Calif

orn

ia

Terr

itory

Welcome to the most incredible

place on earth! Please consider

us for statehood! First of all, we

do not allow slaves and Chinese

to vote in our elections, so that

shows that we do what makes our

tax-paying settlers happy. Also,

as of recently, our record books

indicate that we have 5,000 male

settlers with land claims moving

in to the territory. Many of our

settlers are miners and farmers

and have no problem making

their own living. We support and

follow the democratic policies of

the U.S. and should therefore be

made a state. Thank you.

Terr

itory

of

Flori

da

Greetings from Florida. We are

the wealthy class making a

petition for the U.S. to accept our

territory as a state. We need the

help of the United States in order

to rid ourselves of the Seminole

Indians who continue to plague

our land. As long as they are

here we can not set up a

representative government

because we refuse to give them

the right to vote. Until this

problem is fixed, our governor

acts as the ultimate authority

which makes the final decisions.

Help us make our land a

democracy!

Terr

itory

of

New

O

rleans

Greetings! We are the city of New

Orleans located in the heart of

the Louisiana Territory! Our land

is the portal for trade

opportunities and growth. We

have a variety of cultured and

educated wealthy merchants that

will most willingly serve the

needs of the United States. We

hold regular elections and make

organized democratic decisions.

We have fertile land, slaves, and

important politicians that prefer

this land over any other. The

small size of the town gives the

place a cozy and united feel.

Please keep us in mind. Thanks.