Curated OER
Northwest Ordinance
Students examine the area where the Northwest Territory was located. They discover the steps territories need to follow to become states. They create a map of the Northwest Territory and label the states that came out of that region.
Library of Congress
Loc: The Learning Page: Government Policy Toward Native Americans
How did the new government deal the Native Americans living in the Northwest Territory? Find out what the government did to keep the peace between the original inhabitants and the new settlers.
Library of Congress
Loc: Web Guides: Primary Documents in American History
An extensive collection of primary source documents of early development of the new United States. Resources include a wide variety of details about the Northwest Ordinance.
University of Groningen
American History: Documents: The Northwest Ordinance July 13, 1787
Presents the full text of the Northwest Ordinance, "an Ordinance for the government of the Territory of the United States northwest of the River Ohio", thus creating the Northwest Territory.
US National Archives
Our Documents: Northwest Ordinance (1787)
Learn about this document that charted a government for the Northwest Territory. View the complete text and images of the original document.
Other
Shelby County Historical Society: Ohio Becomes a State
Read the story of how Ohio became the first state admitted to the Union from the Northwest Territory, and how the new state became a popular place for many immigrants.
Yale University
Avalon Project: Northwest Ordinance; July 13, 1787
A copy of the entire Northwest Ordinance document is given.
University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma College of Law: The Treaty of Greenville
Contains the full text of the Treaty of Greenville which was a treaty of peace and friendship between the United States of America and the tribes of Native Americans called the Wyandots, Delawares, Shawanees, Senacas, Miamies, Ottawas,...
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: William Henry Harrison
A comprehensive look at the life of William Henry Harrison and his brief term as president. Be sure to click through all the essays on Harrison and read his inaugural address.
Library of Congress
Loc: The History of the Upper Midwest
Wonderful site that presents the history of the upper Midwest from the 1600s to around 1900, including Minnesota, Michigan, and Northwest Territories.
A&E Television
History.com: On This Day in history.com: Congress Enacts the Northwest Ordinance
A brief article featuring the events on July 13, 1787, when Congress agrees to the ordinance which leads to the organization and growth of the Northwest Territory.
Other
Indiana Historical Bureau: Northwest Ordinance of 1787
A timeline of events significant to Indiana and the United States preceding and following the enactment of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Northwest Ordinance
Enacted through the Articles of Confederation, the Northwest Ordinance led to the organization of the Northwest Territory and expedited the expansion of the United States westward. This is a thorough explanation of the ordinance.
iCivics
I Civics: Road to the Constitution
How did we go from thirteen British colonies to the United States of America? Explore the major hardships of life under British rule, how the colonists decided to break away, and how they set a path for a new and independent government....
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Problem of Expansion
With the end of the Revolution, the United States again had to face the old unsolved Western question -- the problem of expansion, with its complications of land, fur trade, Indians, settlement and local government. Lured by the richest...
PBS
Pbs Liberty!: The Northwest Ordinance
As part of a comprehensive site detailing the American Revolution, this page defines the Northwest Ordinance as adopted by Confederation Congress.
Library of Congress
Loc: Arthur st.clair (1736 1818)
A brief description of the military career of Arthur St.Clair, including his roles in the American Revolution and against the Indians in the Northwest Territory.
Library of Congress
Loc: Incorporating the Western Territory
A discussion of the process the congress went through in determining what would happen to the territory west of the original thirteen states. Read the final provisions of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Native American Resilience and Violence in the West
Learn about the struggles the new United States government had in coming to terms with the various Native American tribes who lived in the new country.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Evaluating the Congress
Although there were some glaring weaknesses for the central government under the Articles of Confederation, there were some stunning accomplishments. Read about the successes and think about how important they were for the future of the...
Ohio History Central
Ohio History Central: Harmar's Defeat
A history of the defeat of an American Army led by General Josiah Harmar in 1790 against the Delaware, Miami and Shawnee Indians near Fort Wayne in Indiana. Involved were men, both white and Indian, who fought in the Northwest struggles.
Ohio History Central
Ohio History Central: John Cleves Symmes
Learn the exciting story of how John Cleves Symmes (1742-1814) traveled to the Ohio Country and eventually set up the first settlement about a mile below the Little Miami River.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Minnesota
America's Story features fun facts about Minnesota, such as how Minnesota's nickname and interesting places such as Anoka, the Halloween Capital of the world and important cultural happenings like the Spam Festival.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Ohio
Can you guess what the Ohio state tree is? How many presidents were born and lived in Ohio? Find the answers to these questions by checking out this Library of Congress state profile.