What was a significant effect of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 played a critical role in shaping the future of the United States by creating a structured process for the admission of new states into the Union. This legislation provided the framework for incorporating territories into the United States, ensuring that these areas could eventually achieve the same status and rights as the original states. It laid out clear guidelines for governance, population requirements, and conditions under which territories could be organized and admitted as states, promoting orderly expansion westward.

While the ordinance did include provisions that addressed issues like slavery and governance, its most lasting significance lies in how it institutionalized the process of statehood, which was essential for the growth of the nation. By establishing a systematic approach for admitting territories, it ensured that future states could join the Union on equal footing, thus fostering a sense of unity and shared governance among diverse regions.