Final answer:
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 established the process for admitting new states to the Union from the Northwest Territory, detailing governance structures based on population and excluding slavery, setting a model for land division, and promoting certain fundamental rights. The correct answer is option C
Step-by-step explanation:
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 was a significant piece of legislation that outlined the process for admitting new states from the Northwest Territory into the Union. It established a clear set of requirements for transitioning from a territory to statehood, with stipulations based on the population of white male adults.
Initially, a territory was to be governed by a governor and a three-judge panel appointed by Congress. Once a territory reached a population between 5,000 and 60,000 white male inhabitants, it could elect a legislature, though the governor was still appointed by Congress.
A territory with over 60,000 inhabitants could draft a constitution forbidding slavery and ensuring religious freedom, and subsequently apply for statehood.Moreover, the Northwest Ordinance also included provisions for organizing the division of territory land, prepared for government sale and later development.
Land was divided into townships and further subdivided into sections, with a minimum set price per acre. This structured division facilitated an orderly settlement and provided a model for future land division in the United States.
Additionally, the Ordinance prohibited slavery and promoted rights such as religious freedom, trial by jury, and the establishment of schools, contributing to the framework of newly admitted states' governance. The correct answer is option C