Final answer:
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 established a process for territories to become states. It gave Congress control over settlement and forbade slavery in the territories. The correct option is (C).
Step-by-step explanation:
The Northwest Ordinance, which followed in 1787, set out the process by which a territory could become a state.
It specified that if a territory had fewer than 5,000 white adult males, it would be governed by a governor and a three-judge panel, all of whom were to be appointed by the Confederation Congress.
When a territory held 5,000 to 60,000 white male inhabitants, a legislature could be elected by all white males, but the governor was still appointed by Congress.
When the population of a territory exceeded 60,000, it could adopt a constitution—which must forbid slavery and protect religious freedom—and apply for statehood, which would be granted by Congress.
The measure gave Congress greater control over the settlement of the western territories; self-government came only with statehood.
And finally, the Northwest Ordinance barred slavery, except as punishment for a crime in the territory, though it did provide for the return of fugitive or runaway slaves.