What is the significance of the Northwest Ordinance in Arizona’s history?

The Northwest Ordinance is significant in Arizona's history because it established guiding principles for the admission of new states into the Union. Although Arizona was not one of the original territories created under the Northwest Ordinance, the framework set forth by the ordinance influenced the way territories, including Arizona, transitioned to statehood. It provided guidelines for governance, the rights of settlers, and the process of achieving statehood, which would impact Arizona when it sought to join the Union in the 20th century. The principles established in the Northwest Ordinance, such as promoting education and ensuring civil liberties, played a crucial role in shaping the laws and governance structures in newly formed states, including Arizona as it pursued its own path to becoming a state in 1912. This connection to the Northwest Ordinance highlights its lasting impact on the development of statehood throughout the United States, including Arizona.