Final Answer:
Each square acre in the Land Ordinance of 1785 was sold at a rate of $1.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Land Ordinance of 1785 was a pivotal plan for surveying and selling federally-owned land in the western territories of the United States. Under this ordinance, the territory was divided into townships, and each township was further divided into 36 sections of one square mile each. In the initial stages of the ordinance, these sections were offered for sale through public auction or private entry at $1 per acre. This low price aimed to encourage settlement and development of the western lands.
The intention behind the low cost per acre was to attract settlers and promote the westward expansion of the United States. By making land relatively affordable, it facilitated the acquisition of property for a broader section of the population and encouraged migration, contributing significantly to the nation's westward growth. The pricing set by the Land Ordinance of 1785 played a crucial role in shaping the country's territorial expansion and settlement patterns, laying the foundation for the development of the United States as it expanded beyond its original boundaries.