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210-211US8P R U2C08S1 GH 11/26/02 12:22 PM Page 210

REGION AND HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION The Northwest The Northwest Territory was officially known as “the Territory Northwest of the River .” In the mid-, Congress decided to sell the land in the ter- ritory to settlers. The sale of land solved two problems. First, it provided cash for the government. Second, it increased American control over the land. The outlined how the land in the Northwest Territory would be divided. Congress split the land into grids with clearly defined boundaries. It created townships that could be divided into sections, as shown on the map below. Each was six miles by six miles. This was an improvement over earlier methods of setting boundaries. Previously, people had used rocks, trees, or other landmarks to set boundaries. There had been constant fights over disputed claims.

The Land Ordinance of 1785

() Lake (OHIO) Superior QUEBEC 36 Miles

45°N Lake Huron M () n i a s g s i i s h

s c i i p PA. p M () i

R e k

i a v

e L SPANISH r POSSESSIONS

NORTHWEST TERRITORY r Each township contained 36 e v i ° (OHIO) r sections. Each section was 40 N () () e R o v i WEST i h one square mile. R O o VIRGINIA hi O 0 250 Miles Future state boundaries shown.

85 80 75 90 0 500 Kilometers

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W W W

W

The Theodolite The theodolite Township Map is a surveying tool. It consists of a Congress reserved telescope that can be moved from several plots (outlined side to side and up and down. A on map) for special theodolite measures angles and purposes. A few were determines alignment. These set aside for later sale functions are necessary for land to raise money for the surveyors to establish accurate government. One plot boundaries for land claims. was reserved to support a local school. 210 CHAPTER 8 210-211US8P R U2C08S1 GH 11/26/02 12:22 PM Page 211

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1 The first things settlers needed were 2 A shortage of labor meant that a 3 Over time, families planted fruits and food and shelter. Cutting trees farmer working alone was doing well vegetables. Cattle raising also became provided fields for crops and wood for if he cleared several acres a year. As a more common. Beef cattle supplied log cabins. The first crop most farmers result, few farms were completely families with meat. Dairy cattle planted was corn. Even if the land was fenced in, and forest covered most of provided milk. Families could sell extra not fully cleared of trees, farmers the property. Hogs were allowed to fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, planted corn between the stumps. find food in the woods. Farmers such as butter and cheese. collected apples from trees and used sap to make syrup. CONNECT TO GEOGRAPHY 1. Region What was the land in the Northwest Territory like before Americans settled there? 2. Human-Environment Interaction How did American settlers affect the landscape in the territory? The Ohio Historical Society See Geography is located in Columbus, Ohio. It Handbook, pages 4–5. maintains a Web site called Ohio History Central that includes CONNECT TO HISTORY information on the Ohio portion 3. Making Inferences Why did of the Northwest Territory. so many people buy land in the For more about the Northwest Territory . . . new territory? RESEARCH LINKS CLASSZONE.COM to Constitution 211