What was one of the primary outcomes of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 was significant because it created a structured process for admitting new states into the Union from the Northwest Territory. This ordinance laid out clear guidelines that outlined how territories could transition into statehood, including requirements for population and governance. It recognized the importance of orderly expansion and representation, ensuring that new states would have the same rights and standing as the original states.

This process was critical for the growth of the United States as it provided a framework that balanced the interests of existing states with the necessity of incorporating new areas into the nation. Additionally, it set important precedents for the future states that were to be formed in the West. Other aspects of the ordinance, such as provisions for the protection of civil liberties and the prohibition of slavery in the Northwest Territory, contributed to its legacy but the primary outcome was indeed the establishment of a systematic approach to state admission.