America's first national governments

Articles of Confederation

First written constitution; alliance of independent states with limited central power.

Land Ordinance of 1785

Law for land settlement; land surveyed, mapped, and divided into townships.

Northwest Ordinance

Law governing territories; led to statehood, banned slavery, respected Indian rights.

Congress

Central governing body with limited power; each state had one vote.

2/3 Majority

Required for passing laws under the Articles of Confederation.

No Executive Branch

Absence of a body to enforce laws under the Articles of Confederation.

Interstate/Foreign Trade Regulation

Lacked by Congress under the Articles of Confederation, causing inefficiency.

National Court System

Nonexistent under the Articles of Confederation, leading to poorly defined laws.

Western Lands Issue

Major concern addressed by the Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance.

6 Mile by 6 Mile Square Townships

Division of land under the Land Ordinance of 1785 for settlement and organization.

Territories to Statehood

Process outlined by the Northwest Ordinance for territories like Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.

Plan for Westward Settlement

Result of the Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance, extending to the west coast.