Northwest Territory

The Northwest Territory was a large region in North America created by the U.S. government in 1787, encompassing areas that are now Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota. It was established to organize land acquired after the American Revolution and to encourage settlement and development. The territory was governed by specific laws, including the Northwest Ordinance, which set procedures for adding new states, ensuring territories could eventually become equal members of the Union with rights and protections. This region played a key role in westward expansion and the growth of the United States.