Which ordinance set rules for the admission of new states and prohibited slavery?

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 established a framework for the governance of the Northwest Territory and laid out the process for admitting new states to the Union. A significant aspect of this ordinance was its clear prohibition of slavery in the Northwest Territory, setting a precedent for future territories and statehood. The ordinance also provided for civil liberties and established guidelines for education, showcasing an early commitment to democratic principles and equality.

This legislation was crucial in shaping the future of the United States, particularly as it related to the expansion westward and the contentious issue of slavery. By mandating that newly admitted states be free of slavery, it contributed to the regional disparities that would later lead to significant tensions and conflicts in American history.

In contrast, the Land Ordinance of 1785 primarily focused on the surveying and sale of land, while the Articles of Confederation served as the first constitution for the United States but did not specifically address the rules for statehood or slavery. The Fourteenth Amendment, on the other hand, was adopted much later, in 1868, and addressed citizenship and equal protection under the law but came long after the establishment of these earlier ordinances.