how did the northwest ordinance contribute to american expansion
Rare Book and Special Collections Division. The Northwest Ordinance, officially titled An Ordinance for the Government of the Territory of the United States North West of the River Ohio, was adopted by the Confederation Congress on July 13, 1787.lso known as the Ordinance of 1787, the Northwest Ordinance established a government for the Northwest Territory, outlined the process for admitting a new state to the Union, and guaranteed that newly created states would be equal to the original thirteen states.