What significant legislation set the groundwork for governance of the Northwest Territory?

The Northwest Ordinance is pivotal legislation that established a framework for governance in the Northwest Territory. Enacted in 1787, it outlined the process for admitting new states to the Union from the territories and set the guidelines for their governance. The Ordinance provided for civil liberties, such as freedom of religion and the right to a trial by jury, and it prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territory, establishing a precedent for future territorial governance.

Additionally, the Northwest Ordinance encouraged education and the establishment of public schools, addressing the need for an informed citizenry in the new states. By establishing these crucial policies and governance structures, the Northwest Ordinance played a foundational role in shaping the expansion of the United States into the West.