The Land Ordinance of 1785 allowed the United States to divide and sell western land. It was passed by the Congress of the Confederation to create a system by which territories of the United States could become states. The ordinance also established the Northwest Territory, which comprised the current states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Additionally, it provided for the survey and sale of the lands in the territories and the granting of land patents to settlers. It was enacted in an effort to raise money to pay off the Revolutionary War debt. The ordinance did not prevent settlers from moving west of the Appalachian mountains, nor did it give Native Americans reserved lands.