Final answer:
Although the Northwest Ordinance included language that intended to promote peace with Native Americans and protect their rights, the practical outcomes often contradicted these intentions, leading to conflict and loss of Native American lands.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the Northwest Ordinance encourages peace between Americans and Native Americans is both true and false. The document set out principles that appeared to respect Native American rights and sought to establish peace between Native Americans and American settlers, stating that “the utmost good faith shall always be observed towards the Indians; their lands and property shall never be taken from them without their consent...unless in just and lawful wars authorized by Congress; but laws founded in justice and humanity, shall from time to time be made for preventing wrongs being done to them.”
However, while the Northwest Ordinance included language that suggested an intention for peaceful expansion, the reality was that the implementation of these policies often resulted in the opposite. The formation of towns and cities often took place in areas where Indian lands had been “extinguished,” negating the initial promises of peace and respect. This contradiction was exemplified by the Northwest Indian War and subsequent Treaty of Greenville, where Native lands were ceded to the United States, despite earlier treaties promising a “lasting boundary.”
Therefore, while the Northwest Ordinance may have encouraged peace on paper, the subsequent actions and policies did not always reflect that goal. These inconsistencies highlight the complexity of American expansion and its impact on Native American populations.