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One of the new issues that needed to be handled by the young United States was the new land added west of the Appalachians. The land was rich with fertile land and unknown riches. Many important questions remained to be answered. Who would explore and settle the land? Which state owned the land? What would be the role of the federal government? And most importantly, how would these territories progress towards statehood?


Watch this video to learn more about how these territories took the first steps toward statehood.

First Steps in the Statehood Process

> Text version for video

Visit the following links to review the text of the ordinances:

Land Ordinance of 1785Opens a new window

Northwest Ordinance of 1787Opens a new window