Final answer:
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 outlined the process for territories to become states and join the Union. It established requirements for population size, governance, and the adoption of a constitution. The Ordinance also prohibited slavery and provided for the return of fugitive slaves. It played a significant role in the settlement of the Northwest Territories.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Northwest Ordinance and the Admission of Territories into the Union
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 provided a process for territories to become states and be admitted into the Union. This process involved several requirements and conditions. When a territory had fewer than 5,000 white adult males, it would be governed by a governor and a three-judge panel appointed by the Confederation Congress. Once the territory reached a population of 5,000 to 60,000 white male inhabitants, a legislature could be elected by all white males, but the governor would still be appointed by Congress. When the population exceeded 60,000, the territory could adopt a constitution that prohibited slavery, protected religious freedom, and applied for statehood, which would be granted by Congress.
The Northwest Ordinance also banned slavery in the new territories, except as punishment for a crime, and provided for the return of fugitive or runaway slaves. It aimed to establish self-government for the territories, but this only came with statehood. The Ordinance played a crucial role in the settlement and development of the western territories, including the area that is now known as the Northwest Territories.