Final answer:
The Northwest Ordinance took place in 1787, creating a system for the settlement and statehood of the Northwest Territory, and it had notable measures regarding slavery, land division, and fundamental rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Northwest Ordinance took place in 1787 and it was a significant accomplishment of the Congress under the Articles of Confederation. It provided a standardized process for the incorporation of new states from the Northwest Territory, which included parts of modern-day Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. This ordinance was remarkable for its prohibitive stance on slavery, the structured sale of land, and the guarantee of basic freedoms through a Bill of Rights for the settlers.
According to the ordinance, if a territory had fewer than 5,000 white adult males, it would be governed by a governor and a three-judge panel. As the population grew, the governance structure evolved, allowing for an elected legislature and finally the drafting of a constitution upon reaching a population of over 60,000, paving the way for statehood. Additionally, the land was systematically divided into townships and sections, fostering orderly development and providing for public education through the allocation of land for schools.