What Was the Northwest Ordinance?

• Territory — land controlled by the U.S. government but not yet a state

• Ordinance — a law created by a government

• Sovereignty — power to govern or control land

• Treaty — a formal agreement between nations

• Settlement — a new community formed when people move into an area

• Expansion — the U.S. growing in land, power, and influence

What Was the Northwest Ordinance?

• Passed under the Articles of Confederation

• Created the Northwest Territory

• Set up a process for territories → states

• Banned slavery in the territory

• Promised rights to settlers

📌 Why it matters:
It became the blueprint for how America would expand.

What Was the Northwest Ordinance?

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North America in 1800 🌍

• Huge parts of the continent held by Britain, France, Spain, and Russia

• U.S. was small, fragile, and surrounded

• Expansion = opportunity AND conflict

📌 Why it matters:
The map shows the geopolitical reality behind westward movement.

Rotation Layout

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Door Side:
A1 (Infographic)
B1 (Map)

Window Side:
A2 (Infographic)
B2 (Map)

Back Wall: Last stop back at your tables
C1 (Synthesis)
C2 (Synthesis)

At every station:

• Reader (reads the source aloud)

• Evidence Finder (locates details)

• Reasoner (explains ideas)

• Recorder (writes answers)

• Reporter (shares out)

• Each group member must complete all station questions on their own handout.

Rotation Layout

.

Door Side:
A1 (Infographic)
B1 (Map)

Window Side:
A2 (Infographic)
B2 (Map)

Back Wall: Last stop back at your tables
C1 (Synthesis)
C2 (Synthesis)

At every station:

• Reader (reads the source aloud)

• Evidence Finder (locates details)

• Reasoner (explains ideas)

• Recorder (writes answers)

• Reporter (shares out)

• Each group member must complete all station questions on their own handout.

Exit Ticket

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Using evidence from the Northwest Ordinance and the 1800 Map, explain how early U.S. expansion created opportunity for some and harm for others.
Include:
✔ A clear claim about who benefited and who was harmed
✔ 1 piece of evidence from the Northwest Ordinance
✔ 1 piece of evidence from the 1800 Map
✔ Reasoning that explains how the evidence proves your claim
✔ Complete sentences and academic vocabulary